Rick Slayman, the first person in the world to receive a genetically edited pig kidney transplant, has been released from the hospital.
According to a report by CNN, Slayman left the hospital on Wednesday, two weeks after undergoing the groundbreaking surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. The hospital stated that he is recovering well and will continue his recuperation at home surrounded by his family.
In a statement released by the hospital, Slayman expressed his joy at being discharged, stating, “This moment – leaving the hospital today with one of the cleanest bills of health I’ve had in a long time – is one I wished would come for many years. Now, it’s a reality and one of the happiest moments of my life.”
Last year, Slayman, a 62-year-old manager at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease. His doctors recommended a pig kidney transplant as a potential solution. While they are optimistic about the longevity of the new organ, they also acknowledge the uncertainties associated with animal-to-human transplants.
This historic surgery marks the third xenotransplant of a pig organ into a living human. The previous two cases involved heart transplants for patients who had exhausted all other options. Unfortunately, both patients passed away shortly after the procedures.
Despite the risks, Slayman remains grateful for the opportunity and the support he has received, particularly from others on the kidney transplant waiting list. He sees his surgery as a new beginning not only for himself but for all those in need of life-saving transplants.
As the world watches this medical milestone unfold, the future of xenotransplantation holds promise and hope for patients like Rick Slayman.
