Richard “Rick” Slayman, aged 62, known for being the first man to undergo a groundbreaking genetically modified pig kidney transplant, has sadly passed away. The pioneering procedure, conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in March, aimed to offer hope to patients with end-stage kidney disease like Slayman, who also battled Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
Despite initial success, with Slayman no longer needing dialysis and the new organ functioning well, his sudden demise, just two months after the historic operation, has left the medical community and Slayman’s family in shock. This transplant followed a previous human kidney transplant in 2018, which showed signs of failure after five years.
MGH, in a statement, expressed gratitude for Slayman’s courage in advancing the field of xenotransplantation, where living cells, tissues, or organs are transplanted from one species to another. They extended heartfelt condolences to his family, recognizing his role as an inspiration and symbol of hope for countless individuals awaiting life-saving transplants.
“Rick said that one of the reasons he underwent this procedure was to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive,” they said. “Rick accomplished that goal and his hope and optimism will endure forever. To us, Rick was a kind-hearted man with a quick-witted sense of humor who was fiercely dedicated to his family, friends, and co-workers.”
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