Man who received pig kidney transplant dies

Two months after the procedure, the first person to get a kidney transplant from a genetically altered pig passed away. 

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), in the United States, announced the development on Sunday and stated there was no indication his death was related to the transplant. 

Richard Slayman, 62, was the first living human recipient of a pig kidney transplanted by hospital surgeons on March 16. 

During the four-hour "successful" surgery, a genetically altered pig kidney was utilised, according to the hospital. Slayman has long had high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Before obtaining a kidney transplant from a deceased human donor in December 2018, he was on dialysis for a considerable amount of time. 

About five years later, the kidney started to weaken, and in May 2023 Slayman was forced to start dialysis again. 

Almost three weeks following the procedure, in April, the patient was released from the hospital. 

Slayman's family said that his tale served as motivation and that he underwent this surgery in part to give hope to the thousands of others who depend on organ transplants in order to survive.

“Rick accomplished that goal and his hope and optimism will endure forever,” he said.

“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.”

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