CNN
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Rick Slayman, the world’s first living recipient of a genetically edited pig kidney transplant, was discharged from the hospital Wednesday, two weeks after his operation, Massachusetts Normal Hospital stated in a press release. “He’s recovering nicely and can proceed to recuperate at residence together with his household,” the hospital said on X, previously Twitter.
In a statement issued by the hospital, Slayman stated, “This second – leaving the hospital at this time with one of many cleanest payments of well being I’ve had in a very long time – is one I wanted would come for a few years. Now, it’s a actuality and one of many happiest moments of my life.”
Slayman, a 62-year-old supervisor with the Massachusetts Division of Transportation, had beforehand stated his docs steered that he attempt a pig kidney when he was identified with end-stage kidney illness final yr.
His docs stated final month that they thought Slayman’s new kidney may final years but additionally acknowledged that there are a lot of unknowns in animal-to-human transplants.
His surgical procedure is the third such xenotransplant of a pig organ right into a dwelling human. The primary two transplants had been hearts transplanted into dwelling sufferers that had run out of different transplant choices. The organs had been transplanted below particular guidelines that allow compassionate use of experimental therapies for sufferers in particularly dire conditions. Each sufferers died weeks after receiving their organs.
Slayman stated he was grateful for the response to his surgical procedure, particularly from different sufferers who’re ready for a kidney transplant.
The necessity for organs far outstrips the quantity which are obtainable. On daily basis 17 folks die within the U.S. ready for an organ. Kidneys are the organ in shortest provide. Based on the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Community, roughly 27,000 kidneys had been transplanted in 2023, however practically 89,000 folks had been on the waitlist for these organs.
”In the present day marks a brand new starting not only for me, however for them, as nicely,” Slayman stated within the assertion.