Richard Slayman, the 62-year-old Weymouth, Massachusetts resident who gained worldwide recognition for receiving the first genetically modified pig kidney transplant in March, has passed away. His family announced the sad news, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and care team at Massachusetts General Hospital, according to ABC News.
Slayman underwent a successful four-hour surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in March and was discharged in April. However, the cause of his death remains unknown. The hospital released a statement, confirming that his passing was not related to the transplant.
Prior to the transplant, Slayman had battled Type 2 diabetes and hypertension for years. He relied on dialysis before receiving a human kidney transplant in December 2018, also performed by the Massachusetts General Hospital team. Unfortunately, the transplanted kidney from the human donor showed signs of rejection, leading to a return to dialysis treatment in 2023.
Massachusetts General Hospital acknowledged Slayman’s enduring legacy, stating, ‘Mr. Slayman will forever be seen as a beacon of hope to countless transplant patients worldwide… We offer our heartfelt condolences to Mr Slayman’s family and loved ones as they remember an extraordinary person whose generosity and kindness touched all who knew him.’
In March, Slayman underwent another kidney transplant, this time with an organ harvested from a pig genetically modified by the Cambridge-based pharmaceutical company, eGenesis. The pig genes were modified using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to enhance compatibility with the human recipient. Sadly, Slayman passed away seven weeks after the transplant.
Slayman’s family expressed their deepest appreciation for the care provided by Massachusetts General Hospital, saying, ‘Their enormous efforts leading the xenotransplant gave our family seven more weeks with Rick, and our memories made during that time will remain in our minds and hearts.’ They recognized Slayman’s unwavering hope and optimism, stating, ‘His legacy will be one that inspires patients, researchers, and health care professionals everywhere.’
