Pig Kidney Transplanted into Human Patient for the First Time at Massachusetts General Hospital
Surgeons at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston have achieved a significant medical milestone by successfully transplanting a pig kidney into a human patient for the first time ever.
Mass General announced on Thursday that this groundbreaking procedure represents a major advancement in the field of medicine.
The recipient of the pig kidney is Rick Slayman, a 62-year-old man from Weymouth. Slayman is currently recovering well at Mass General and is expected to be discharged soon. At the time of the transplant, Slayman was suffering from end-stage kidney disease.
The hospital stated that this procedure is a significant step toward addressing the shortage of organs for patients, particularly given the nationwide organ shortage. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, more than 100,000 people in the U.S. are awaiting organ transplants, with an average of seventeen people dying each day while waiting.
Anne Klibanski, President and CEO of Mass General Brigham, commended the researchers and clinicians for their dedication to pushing the boundaries of science and providing innovative treatments to improve patient lives.
The pig kidney used in the transplant was provided by eGenesis in Cambridge. It underwent genetic modification to remove harmful pig genes and incorporate certain human genes to enhance compatibility.
Joren Madsen, the director of the MGH Transplant Center, hailed Slayman as the true hero of this procedure. Slayman, who has been living with Type 2 diabetes and hypertension for many years, had previously undergone a human kidney transplant in 2018 after seven years of dialysis. However, his transplanted kidney began to fail about five years later, leaving him with limited options. After carefully considering the pros and cons, Slayman saw the pig kidney transplant as an opportunity not only to help himself but also to provide hope for the thousands of people in need of a transplant to survive.
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