The first man to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has passed away two months after the procedure, the hospital which carried out the procedure has claimed.
Richard “Rick” Slayman, 62, was suffering from end-stage kidney condition before undergoing the procedure in March.
Massachusetts General Medical Facility (MGH) stated on Sunday there was no indicator his fatality was an outcome of the transplant.
Transplants of other organs from genetically modified pigs have actually yielded positive results in the past, however the procedure on Mr Slayman was hailed as a historic mdeical milestone.
In addition to kidney condition, Mr Slayman additionally suffered from Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. In 2018, he had a human kidney transplant, but which to fail after 5 years.
Following his pig kidney transplant on 16 March, his physicians validated he no longer needed dialysis after the new body organ was said to be functioning properly.
“Mr Slayman will forever be seen as a beacon of hope to countless transplant patients worldwide and we are deeply grateful for his trust and willingness to advance the field of xenotransplantation,” MGH said in a statement.
Xenotransplantation is the transplanting of living cells, or body organs from one organism to another.
MGH said it was “deeply saddened” at his sudden death and sent condolences to his family.
Mr Slayman’s family members said his story was an inspiration.
“Rick said that one of the reasons he underwent this procedure was to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive,” they said.
“Rick accomplished that goal and his hope and optimism will endure forever.
“To us, Rick was a kind-hearted man with a quick-witted sense of humour who was fiercely dedicated to his family, friends, and co-workers,” they added.
While Mr Slayman received the very first pig kidney to be transplanted right into a human, it is not the first pig organ to be utilized in a transplant procedure.
Two other people have actually received pig heart transplants, however those treatments were not successful as the receivers passed away a few weeks later.
In one instance, there were indications the person’s immune system had actually rejected the organ, which is a common risk in transplants.
