SURGEONS PERFOR FIRST EVER KIDNEY TRANSPLANT FROM GENETICALLY MODIFIED PIG
Surgeons from a hospital in Massachusetts have achieved a major medical milestone by transplanting a genetically modified pig kidney into a human recipient. The procedure, which lasted four hours, took place at the Massachusetts General Hospital’s Transplant Center in Boston. The patient is expected to be discharged soon, with the surgery being hailed as a success by the medical team.
Scientists from MGH and eGenesis worked together for more than five years to develop a genetically modified kidney for transplantation. They eliminated harmful pig genes and deactivated retroviruses in the pig donor to reduce the risk of infections in humans. Additionally, human genes were incorporated to enhance compatibility with human recipients.
The recipient of the genetically modified kidney, Richard Slayman, 62, underwent the surgery on 16 March. Suffering from end-stage kidney disease, he had been on dialysis for seven years before a kidney transplant in 2018. Complications arose, leading to dialysis once again in 2023. Slayman viewed the surgery as a beacon of hope for others in need of transplants, not just for himself. Doctors at MGH have confirmed that the transplanted kidney is functioning well, allowing Slayman to discontinue dialysis and showing signs of recovery.
Xenotransplantation, the process of transplanting animal organs into humans, offers hope for the many individuals awaiting organ donations, particularly kidneys which are in high demand. While previous attempts have been risky, resulting in the deaths of patients who received pig heart transplants in 2022 and 2023, the successful kidney transplant at MGH underscores the potential of xenotransplantation to address the organ shortage. Despite the challenges faced in the past, advancements in this field could open up new opportunities for patients in need of organ transplants.
