The patient who underwent the first genetically modified kidney transplant from a pig to a human died this Saturday in the United States. The information was confirmed by Massachusetts General Hospital, where the procedure – known as xenotransplantation – was carried out in March. The surgeon who led the operation was the Brazilian doctor Leonardo Riella.
According to the statement, there is no indication that the patient's death was related to the surgery.
Ricky Slayman was 62 years old and diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease. In an interview with CNN Brazil Riella reported that the successful procedure was the result of decades of research to make the animal's organ compatible with humans and that Slayman's case represented a “historical milestone.”
The patient's family reported that, after the transplant, Slayman said that one of the reasons he agreed to undergo the procedure “was to offer hope to the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive.”
According to family members, “Ricky’s legacy will be inspiring to patients, researchers and healthcare professionals everywhere.”
In a social media post, Massachusetts General Hospital said Slayman “will forever be seen as a beacon of hope for countless transplant patients around the world, and we are deeply grateful for his confidence and willingness to advance the field of xenotransplantation.”
Source: CNN Brasil
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