The top line: The first living person to receive a new kidney from a genetically modified pig has died nearly two months after the transplant.
The bigger picture: In 2018, United States man Richard "Rick" Slayman received a transplant of a human kidney. But it failed after five years and he had to resume dialysis.
In late March this year, he underwent a four-hour operation to receive a pig kidney, which had been genetically edited to remove genes that could be harmful to a human recipient and add certain human genes to improve compatibility.
The successful operation was hailed by Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston as "a major milestone in the quest to provide more readily available organs to patients".
But on Saturday, it confirmed in a statement that he had died. The hospital team said they didn't have any indication that he died as a result of the transplant.
Slayman's family in a statement thanked his doctors and said their "enormous efforts" in the xenotransplant had given them seven weeks of precious time with him.
They said he underwent the surgery in part to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive.
"Rick accomplished that goal and his hope and optimism will endure forever," the statement said.
"His legacy will be one that inspires patients, researchers, and health care professionals everywhere."
The key quote: "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." — Slayman's family.
What else to know: Xenotransplantation refers to healing human patients with cells, tissues or organs from animals. Such efforts long failed because the human immune system immediately destroyed foreign animal tissue. Recent attempts have involved pigs that have been modified so their organs are more human-like.
What happens now: Research into xenotransplantation continues, and scientists hope it will become an alternative source of organs for those suffering from kidney failure.
