Man undergoes groundbreaking pig kidney transplant in Massachusetts

Slaiman underwent a pig kidney transplant in March 2024 at a hospital in Massachusetts transmission, and was released after two weeks. Surgeons expected the transplanted kidney to last at least two years.

Before receiving the transplant, Slaimans had been living with a donated human kidney since 2018, but it stopped working after five years.

General of Massachusetts hospitals doctors expressed their condolences to the family of the deceased, stressing that they found no signs that the man’s death was related to the transplant.

“The great efforts of the doctors during the xenotransplantation gave our family seven more weeks with Rick, memories that will live forever in our minds and hearts,” the Slyman family said in a statement.

Previously, pig kidneys were transplanted only to donors who had been diagnosed with brain death, according to the AP group.

Organ transplants from other genetically modified pigs have failed in the past, but Slyman’s operation was heralded as a medical milestone.

Slaiman’s family emphasizes that his story will be an inspiration to many.

“Rick said one of the reasons he decided to do this work was to give hope to the thousands of people who need organ transplants to survive,” they said.

“Rick lived for that reason and the hope and optimism he brought will live on forever.

To us, Rick was a kind man with a great sense of humor. He devoted much of his time and energy to his family, friends and colleagues,” they said.