First successful pig kidney transplant patient discharged from Hospital
By Charity Nginyu
A 62-year-old man has been discharged from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) after becoming the first recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney transplant.
The groundbreaking surgery, conducted two weeks prior to his discharge, according to BBC, marks a historic milestone in the field of transplantation, offering hope to countless patients suffering from organ failure worldwide.
“The team behind the transplant hailed it as a historic step that can provide a potential solution to the world’s organ shortage, especially to those from ethnic minority communities whom the shortage disproportionately affects,” the news outlet reported.
The recipient, Mr. Slayman, expressed his profound gratitude upon leaving the hospital, describing the moment as “one of the happiest” in his life.
After years of grappling with the burdensome constraints of dialysis, the prospect of resuming a life unencumbered by medical procedures is a profound relief for him. “I’m excited to resume spending time with my family, friends, and loved ones free from the burden of dialysis that has affected my quality of life for many years,” he shared in a statement.
Mr. Slayman’s journey towards this remarkable feat of medical innovation began in 2018 when he underwent a human kidney transplant from a deceased donor. While initially successful, the transplanted kidney began to fail last year, necessitating alternative treatment options.
It was then that doctors proposed the possibility of a pig kidney transplant.
Organ transplants from genetically modified pigs have faced significant challenges and setbacks in the past. However, the success of Mr. Slayman’s procedure offers newfound hope and optimism for the future of transplantation.
