Bengaluru: Richard Slayman, a 62-year-old man who made history as the first recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney, has died two months after the groundbreaking transplant. Massachusetts General Hospital, which performed the transplant, confirmed his death Sunday, stating that they had no reason to believe it was due to the surgery.
Slayman had been battling end-stage kidney disease and underwent the successful, pioneering surgery two months ago. The transplanted pig kidney functioned as intended, a major milestone for xenotransplantation, which refers to procedures involving the transplantation of animal cells, tissues, or organs for human treatment.
After the transplant, Slayman no longer required dialysis, though he still managed pre-existing conditions like Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. The kidneys were expected to function for a minimum of two years. No cause of death has been released yet.
“We have no indication that it was the result of his recent transplant,” Massachusetts General Hospital said in a statement. “Mr. Slayman will forever be seen as a beacon of hope to countless transplant patients worldwide.”
Before Slayman, genetically modified pig organs were transplanted only into deceased or brain-dead patients, with the organs functioning outside the body. Slayman’s case was the first successful instance of a fully functioning pig kidney working inside a living human recipient.
In a statement, Slayman’s family thanked the hospital and surgeons.
“Their enormous efforts leading the xenotransplant gave our family seven more weeks with Rick, and our memories made during that time will remain in our minds and hearts,” it said.
Family members also added that Slayman had undergone the surgery to provide hope to people who need transplants to survive, and that his legacy would inspire “patients, researchers, and health care professionals everywhere”.
Also Read: Scientists find ‘dial’ in brain that controls immune system, hope for autoimmune disease treatment
Importance of xenotransplantation
Xenotransplantation, especially using genetically modified pig organs, offers a potential solution to the global organ donor shortage, a crisis responsible for thousands of deaths each year.
Slayman’s surgery marked a huge achievement, and was the most successful outcome so far in xenotransplantation history.
Pigs are a suitable choice for organ transplants due to their quick growth, with their organs reaching human size by the time they are six months old. To prevent rejection by the human immune system, these pigs undergo genetic modification to be compatible with human bodies. They are also thoroughly screened for transmissible diseases—an issue that led to the death of a man who received a genetically edited pig heart in 2022.
Last month, 54-year-old Lisa Pisano from New Jersey became the second person ever and the first woman to receive a fully functioning genetically modified pig kidney transplant after a surgery at NYU Langone Health. She also has a mechanical pump to keep her heart beating. According to reports, she continues to be healthy so far.
Also Read: How safe is AstraZeneca Covid vaccine & why there is no need to panic — some key questions answered
(Edited by Asavari Singh)