World’s First Genetically-Edited Pig Kidney Transplant Performed at Massachusetts General Hospital

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World’s First Genetically-Edited Pig Kidney Transplant Performed at Massachusetts General Hospital

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in medicine by successfully performing the world’s first genetically-edited pig kidney transplant into a living recipient, 62-year-old Richard "Rick" Slayman, who suffers from end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The procedure utilized a pig kidney with 69 genetic modifications, designed to improve compatibility with humans, using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. This innovative surgery, conducted under FDA compassionate use guidelines, aims to address the critical shortage of donor organs.

Mr. Slayman, who previously received a human kidney transplant in 2018, resumed dialysis in 2023 after his transplant failed. The pig kidney transplant has provided a new lifeline for him while paving the way for future advancements in xenotransplantation. The success is the result of decades of research by MGH and collaborators, including biotechnology company eGenesis, which provided the genetically-engineered pig organ.

The procedure represents a major step toward addressing the organ shortage crisis, as over 100,000 people in the U.S. await transplants. Experts believe this innovation could transform global transplantation practices and improve health equity for underserved populations.

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