A man from Weymouth, Massachusetts, who was the first human to receive a kidney from a genetically modified pig, has died, Massachusetts General Hospital announced on Saturday. Rick Slayman, 62, underwent the pioneering transplant in March, which was hailed as a significant advancement in the field of organ transplantation.
“The Mass General transplant team is deeply saddened at the sudden passing of Mr. Rick Slayman,” the hospital expressed in a statement. “We have no indication that it was the result of his recent transplant.”
According to a Reuters report, the procedure marked a major milestone in efforts to address the shortage of human organs available for transplant. The genetically modified kidney was engineered by eGenesis, a biotech firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company modified the pig’s genes to enhance compatibility and eliminate harmful viruses.
“Our family is deeply saddened about the sudden passing of our beloved Rick but take great comfort knowing he inspired so many,” said Slayman’s family in a statement.
Previously, Slayman had a human kidney transplant in 2018 at the same hospital after spending seven years on dialysis. However, the organ failed after five years, necessitating his return to dialysis.
The use of genetically edited organs is considered a potential solution to the organ shortage crisis. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, over 100,000 people in the U.S. are currently waiting for an organ transplant, with kidneys being the most in demand.
This incident follows other significant experiments, including a genetically modified pig heart transplanted into a patient at the University of Maryland in 2022, though the patient died two months later.
