A 62-year-old man with chronic kidney disease underwent a groundbreaking transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital, receiving a genetically modified pig kidney.

The patient, Richard Slayman, had been in dialysis for seven years prior to consenting to the experimental procedure.

The pig kidney was modified by eGenesis, involving 69 genomic edits aimed at preventing rejection and minimizing infection risks.

Post-surgery, the recipient is recovering well, with early signs indicating proper kidney function including urine production and lowered creatinine levels.

The success of this transplant has led to discussions with the FDA about initiating clinical trials for pig kidney, liver, and pediatric heart transplants.

This medical milestone in xenotransplantation may significantly alleviate the human organ shortage and enhance health equity in organ transplants.