The first-ever kidney transplant from a pig, which occurred in Massachusetts, has passed away. On March 21, the kidney was given to Weymouth resident Rick Slayman, 62, by Massachusetts General Hospital. Two weeks later, he was allowed to leave the hospital and resume his recuperation at home.
To increase its potential, the kidney’s genetic makeup was changed to include more human genes and less pig ones.
Slayman died, around two months after receiving the transplant, according to a statement from Massachusetts General Hospital on Saturday. The hospital also stressed that there is no proof his transplant caused his death.
“The Mass General transplant team is deeply saddened at the sudden passing of Mr. Rick Slayman. We have no indication that it was the result of his recent transplant. 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. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Slayman’s family and loved ones as they remember an extraordinary person whose generosity and kindness touched all who knew him,” Massachusetts General Hospital stated in a statement.
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Slayman has been managing his Type 2 diabetes and hypertension for a number of years. In 2018, he got a human kidney transplant, but after five years, it started to malfunction.
Slayman’s family honored him as an inspiration to people all around the world in a statement.
“Millions of people worldwide have come to know Rick’s story. We felt – and still feel – comforted by the optimism he provided patients desperately waiting for a transplant. To us, Rick was a kind-hearted man with a quick-witted sense of humor who was fiercely dedicated to his family, friends, and co-workers,” Slayman’s family stated.
