Man with transplanted pig kidney dies two months after surgery

The Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday announced the death of Rick Slayman, the first human to receive a pig kidney transplant successfully. Slayman suffered from end-stage kidney disease and received a genetically modified pig kidney in March.

Did the transplant contribute to Slayman’s death? There is no indication that Slayman’s death was the result of his recent transplant, according to Mass General’s statement. The statement added that the hospital is deeply grateful for his trust and willingness to advance the xenotransplantation field. The Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical company eGenesis genetically edited the kidney using CRISPR/Cas-9 genome editing technology to improve its compatibility with the human body. Shortly after the operation, Mass General referred to the procedure’s success as a historic milestone in the emerging field of xenotransplantation. The practice may offer a potential solution to the worldwide organ shortage, the hospital said after the surgery.

How has Slayman’s family reacted? According to the family’s statement, they are saddened by Rick's sudden passing but take great comfort knowing he inspired so many. The statement added that he provided optimism to patients desperately waiting for a transplant. The family thanked the hospital and its staff for their care. They said the staff’s enormous efforts leading the xenotransplant gave their family seven more weeks with Slayman.

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report in The Sift on Slayman’s discharge after the surgery.