By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – The 62-year-old man who received the world’s first genetically modified pig kidney transplant has died nearly two months after he underwent the procedure in a U.S hospital, his family confirmed over the weekend.
However, in a surprise statement, the transplant team said they “have no indication” Slayman’s death was the result of the transplant, which the hospital trumpeted as a significant scientific achievement.
Slayman, a systems manager for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, had reportedly already endured a transplant with a human kidney that had to be removed because of complications.
He had been struggling with three-times-a-week dialysis when he agreed to the experimental pig-kidney procedure.
Richard Slayman underwent the four-hour procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital in March and was discharged two weeks in early April.
Slayman appeared to recover well within a few days of the March 16 procedure.
EXPRESSING HOPE
When they announced that surgery had been successful, those who treated him expressed hope that such animal-to-human transplants, known as xenotransplantation, offer the possibility of solving the human organ shortage.
It was seen as a potential option for the hundreds of thousands of Americans suffering on dialysis.
The hospital’s Saturday statement included comments from family members, saying they were “deeply saddened” by his passing.
However, they stressed that they were grateful for the extra seven weeks with Slayman.
The family added that they realized the research offered inspiration to others. “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.”
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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