NEW YORK. Surgeons in Boston successfully transplanted a pig kidney into a 62-year-old patient, marking a significant advancement in the utilization of animal organs in humans.
The groundbreaking surgery, conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital, represents the first instance of a genetically modified pig kidney being implanted into a living person. Previous attempts involved temporary pig kidney transplants into brain-dead donors, with two men receiving pig heart transplants, albeit with unfortunate outcomes as both passed away within months.
The recipient of this historic pig kidney transplant is Richard “Rick” Slayman from Weymouth, Massachusetts, who is currently recovering well post-surgery and is anticipated to be discharged soon, according to doctors.
Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, the lead transplant surgeon, expressed confidence that the pig kidney would function effectively for at least two years. However, in the event of failure, Slayman could return to dialysis, as explained by kidney specialist Dr. Winfred Williams. Notably, Slayman’s robust health condition distinguishes him from the previous pig heart recipients who were severely ill.
Slayman, who works as a systems manager for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, viewed the transplant not only as a personal remedy but also as a beacon of hope for the multitude of individuals awaiting transplants to survive.
The intricate surgery, lasting four hours and involving a team of 15 medical professionals, culminated in a moment of triumph when the transplanted kidney turned pink and began producing urine, evoking applause in the operating room. Dr. Kawai described the kidney as “truly the most beautiful” he had ever seen.
While lauding the milestone achieved, Dr. Parsia Vagefi, chief of surgical transplantation at UT Southwestern Medical Center, emphasized the need for further studies involving more patients across different medical centers to facilitate wider accessibility of such procedures.
This milestone represents the latest breakthrough in xenotransplantation, offering hope to the over 100,000 individuals on the national transplant waiting list, a significant proportion of whom are kidney patients. The pig kidney used in the transplant was provided by eGenesis of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was genetically modified to enhance compatibility by removing harmful pig genes and incorporating specific human genes.
Despite the success, Slayman’s case posed considerable challenges, with the patient enduring numerous complications and procedures even before his initial transplant. Dr. Williams recalled Slayman’s despair over his dialysis struggles, underscoring the transformative impact of the groundbreaking surgery on his quality of life.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
