. Richard “Rick” Slayman, the first recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney transplant, has died nearly two months after he underwent the procedure, his family and the hospital that performed the surgery said Saturday, May 11. (Massachusetts General Hospital via AP, File)


13 May 2024

The recipient of the first-ever genetically modified pig kidney transplant, Richard "Rick" Slayman, has passed away almost two months following the surgery, as confirmed by his family and Massachusetts General Hospital, where the procedure took place.

Rick Slayman, aged 62, underwent the groundbreaking transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital in March. Surgeons had initially projected that the pig kidney would function for at least two years. The medical team expressed deep sorrow over Slayman's death and extended condolences to his family. However, they clarified that there were no indications that his demise resulted from the transplant itself.

Hailing from Weymouth, Massachusetts, Slayman was the inaugural living recipient of such a procedure. Previously, pig kidneys had only been transplanted into brain-dead donors on a temporary basis. While two men had received heart transplants from pigs before, both passed away within months.

Slayman had previously undergone a kidney transplant at the same hospital in 2018. However, he had to return to dialysis last year when signs of kidney failure emerged. As complications from dialysis arose, requiring frequent procedures, his medical team suggested the option of a pig kidney transplant.

In their statement, Slayman's family expressed gratitude to his medical team, acknowledging their tremendous efforts leading up to the xenotransplantation procedure. They emphasized that these efforts granted them seven additional weeks with Rick, cherishing the memories made during that time.

Moreover, the family highlighted Rick's motivation for undergoing the surgery, stating that he aimed to offer hope to the thousands of individuals awaiting transplants to prolong their lives. They emphasized that Rick's legacy of hope and optimism would endure indefinitely.

Xenotransplantation involves the use of cells, tissues, or organs from animals to heal human patients. Historically, such attempts were unsuccessful due to the immediate rejection of foreign animal tissue by the human immune system. Recent advancements have focused on genetically modifying pigs to make their organs more compatible with humans.

In the United States, over 100,000 people are currently on the national transplant waiting list, with a majority requiring kidney transplants. Tragically, thousands die each year before they can receive a transplant.

Rick Slayman's story underscores the ongoing challenges faced by individuals awaiting organ transplants and the potential of xenotransplantation to offer hope for those in need.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

UN: Taliban Halts Polio Vaccination in Afghanistan

The Taliban have halted polio vaccination efforts in Afghanistan, according to a U.N. report released Monday. This suspension is a....

Ontario May Expand Pharmacists' Role To Treat More Minor Issues

Ontario is looking to broaden pharmacists' responsibilities by expanding the list of minor ailments they can assess, allowing them to....

AI System Shows Promise In Preventing Hospital Deaths, Study Says

A new study reveals that using an AI-powered early-warning system to monitor patients in hospitals has helped reduce unexpected deaths.....

Canadian health officials have banned brominated vegetable oil (BVO)

In a recent move to protect public health, Health Canada has officially banned the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO)....

Ottawa resident dies after contracting mosquito-borne virus, says public health

Ottawa has confirmed its first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), a mosquito-borne illness, following the death of....

Survey reveals worsening youth mental health, especially in girls

A recent survey has highlighted a troubling trend: adolescent mental health has significantly deteriorated over the past few years, particularly....

Canada to Donate Up to 200,000 Doses of Mpox Vaccine

Canada has announced it will donate up to 200,000 doses of the mpox vaccine, known as Imvamune, in response to....

FDA Investigates Heavy Metals Like Lead and Arsenic in Tampons

On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it would investigate the presence of heavy metals, such as....

PHAC explains why COVID-19 vaccines were withdrawn before new ones

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has instructed provinces to dispose of existing COVID-19 vaccines to prevent confusion with....

Alberta's COVID-19 death rate is over four times higher than flu

In Alberta, recent data highlights the stark contrast between the impacts of COVID-19 and influenza. Over the past year, respiratory....

Canadian Medical Association urges better tracking of health funds

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is calling for improved tracking of health-care spending, following recent agreements between the federal government....

First rabies case in Ontario since 1967 confirmed in Brantford

Ontario has confirmed its first case of rabies in a human since 1967. A resident of Brantford-Brant is currently hospitalized....