World's First Living Recipient of Genetically Edited Pig Kidney Passes Away Months After Transplant

A 62-year-old man, Rick Slayman, passed away several months after making history as the first person to receive a genetically edited pig kidney transplant. This groundbreaking medical procedure took place at Massachusetts General Hospital and was considered a significant achievement.

Rick underwent the kidney transplant in March at Massachusetts General Hospital after being diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease in the previous year. It is important to note that the hospital has stated there is no evidence to suggest that his death was linked to the transplant.

Slayman, a manager with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, had a four-hour surgery as advised by his doctors. He was able to leave the hospital in April. The doctors mentioned that the new kidney could potentially last for many years, although there are still uncertainties with animal-to-human transplants.

Slayman with (left to right) Dr. Leo Riella, Medical Director of Kidney Transplantation, Dr. Nahel Elias, Interim Chief, Division of Transplant Surgery, his partner, Faren, and Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, Director, Legoretta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance

Slayman was pictured with Dr. Leo Riella, who is the Medical Director of Kidney Transplantation, Dr. Nahel Elias, who is the Interim Chief of the Division of Transplant Surgery, his partner Faren, and Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, who is the Director of the Legoretta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance at Massachusetts General Hospital.

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Massachusetts General expressed gratitude for Mr. Slayman's contribution to the field of xenotransplantation, stating that he will always be remembered as a beacon of hope for transplant patients worldwide.

The hospital also extended their condolences to Mr. Slayman's family and loved ones, acknowledging his generosity and kindness that touched the lives of all who knew him.

Slayman's family remembered him as a caring man who was devoted to the people in his life.

In a statement, the family expressed their sadness over Rick's sudden passing but found solace in the fact that he had touched the lives of many. They mentioned that Rick's story had reached millions around the world, and they were grateful for the hope he had given to those in need of a transplant.

Slayman had been part of the hospital's transplant program for 11 years, he shared. In 2018, he underwent a kidney transplant from a human donor after battling diabetes and high blood pressure for a long time. Unfortunately, after five years, the transplanted kidney started to fail, leading him to go back to dialysis in 2023.

In a statement, Slayman expressed that he saw the transplant not only as a personal lifeline but also as a beacon of hope for the countless individuals waiting for a transplant to stay alive.

Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, who is the director of the Legorreta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance, made a significant advancement in March with a successful operation that received applause in the operating room.

In the United States, there is a high demand for organs that surpasses the supply. As reported by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, over 100,000 individuals are currently on the waiting list for organ donations.

Experts have long been researching how to safely and successfully transplant animal organs into people, which they say could help solve the organ shortage.

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Before Slayman underwent his transplant surgery, only two other transplants using pig organs had been done. These were both heart transplants done out of compassion, but sadly, both patients passed away just weeks after receiving the new hearts.

Late Saturday night, eGenesis, the biotech company responsible for providing the genetically edited pig kidney for Slayman's surgery, praised him as "a true pioneer" in a statement.

"We are incredibly thankful to Mr. Slayman and his family for their support. We are committed to honoring his legacy and his important contributions to the fields of science and medicine. Our goal is to keep pushing forward with our work in xenotransplantation to help the millions of patients around the world who are in need of life-saving organs," the company stated.

In a statement, Slayman's family expressed their gratitude to his care team at Massachusetts General Hospital.

"After his transplant, Rick mentioned that he decided to undergo the procedure to offer hope to the many individuals awaiting a transplant to stay alive. Rick successfully achieved this objective and his positive outlook will always be remembered. His legacy will serve as an inspiration for patients, researchers, and healthcare workers globally," as stated by his family.

This report includes contributions from CNN's Brenda Goodman.

Editor's P/S:

The death of Rick Slayman, the first person to receive a genetically edited pig kidney transplant, is a bittersweet reminder of the promise and challenges of xenotransplantation. While the transplant was initially successful, offering hope to countless transplant patients worldwide, Slayman's untimely passing underscores the uncertainties that still surround animal-to-human organ transplants.

Despite the setback, Slayman's legacy will continue to inspire research and innovation in the field. His willingness to participate in this groundbreaking procedure not only gave him a second chance at life but also paved the way for future advancements in organ transplantation. As experts continue to refine techniques and address immune rejection issues, xenotransplantation holds the potential to revolutionize healthcare by alleviating the organ shortage and saving countless lives.