BOSTON. Richard “Rick” Slayman, the first recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney transplant, has passed away nearly two months after undergoing the groundbreaking procedure, his family and Massachusetts General Hospital announced on Saturday.
Slayman, 62, received the transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital in March, marking a significant milestone in medical science. Surgeons had initially anticipated the pig kidney to function for at least two years.
Expressing deep sorrow, the transplant team at Massachusetts General Hospital conveyed their condolences to Slayman’s family, emphasizing that there were no indications that his passing was linked to the transplant itself.
Hailing from Weymouth, Massachusetts, Slayman made history as the first living person to undergo this innovative procedure. Previously, pig kidneys had been transplanted into brain-dead donors on a temporary basis. While two men received heart transplants from pigs, both succumbed within months.
Slayman’s medical journey began in 2018 when he underwent a kidney transplant at the same hospital. However, complications arose last year, necessitating his return to dialysis. When his condition worsened, doctors proposed the pioneering pig kidney transplant as a potential solution.
In a heartfelt statement, Slayman’s family expressed gratitude to his medical team, acknowledging their tireless efforts that granted them precious additional time with Rick.
“Their enormous efforts leading the xenotransplant gave our family seven more weeks with Rick, and our memories made during that time will remain in our minds and hearts,” the statement read.
The family underscored Slayman’s motivation to undergo the surgery, not only for his own benefit but also to instill hope in the thousands of individuals awaiting transplants worldwide.
“Rick accomplished that goal and his hope and optimism will endure forever,” the statement continued.
Xenotransplantation, the practice of using animal cells, tissues, or organs to treat human patients, has faced numerous challenges in the past due to immune system rejection. Recent advancements, including genetic modifications in pigs to make their organs more compatible with humans, have sparked renewed hope in the field of transplantation.
With over 100,000 people on the national transplant waiting list, predominantly kidney patients, Slayman’s journey underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to save lives. Despite his passing, his legacy as a trailblazer in medical science will continue to inspire future advancements in organ transplantation.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
