Extra time spent with family. Richard Slayman, the first patient to have received, during his lifetime, a genetically modified pig kidney, died two months after his operation, his relatives announced in a press release on Saturday May 11.
“Our family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our beloved Rick, but is comforted to know that he inspired so many people”write those close to him, according to NBC Boston. “The enormous efforts [de l’équipe médicale] to complete the xenotransplantation gave our family seven additional weeks with Rick, and the memories created during this time will remain in our minds and hearts,” they greet.
The medical team who operated on him expressed their “deep sadness” after learning of the patient’s death and offered condolences to his family, reports ABC News. She claims not to know whether or not Richard Slayman’s death is linked to his transplant. HASAged 62, he suffered from chronic kidney failure. He received his transplant on March 16 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Before his operation, kidneys from genetically modified pigs had already been transplanted, and worked, into brain-dead humans. Living patients have also previously received a heart transplant from a genetically modified pig, but then died.