The first living patient (aged 62) to undergo a pig kidney transplantation has been discharged from the hospital.

Richard "Rick" Slayman, afflicted with chronic kidney disease, expresses his anticipation for quality time with loved ones, liberated from the constraints of dialysis as he recuperates from his groundbreaking transplant.

The first individual to undergo a kidney transplant from a genetically engineered pig has been discharged from the hospital.

Slayman, aged 62, underwent a historic surgery in March at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in Boston, enduring a four-hour procedure. He suffers from end-stage renal failure, rendering his kidneys unable to function independently.

In a statement on Wednesday, he reflected, "This moment—leaving the hospital today with one of the cleanest bills of health I've had in a long time—is one I wished would come for many years. Now, it's a reality and one of the happiest moments of my life." He expressed gratitude to the medical team involved in his care, both before and after his transformative transplant.

"I'm eager to reconnect with my family, friends, and loved ones, liberated from the constraints of dialysis that have hindered my quality of life for many years," he remarked. Slayman extended his appreciation to those who have supported him, particularly fellow patients awaiting kidney transplants. He emphasized, "Today marks a fresh start not only for me but for them as well."

Dr. Leonardo Riella, the hospital's medical director for kidney transplantation, shared, "It was such a joyful day for all of us," speaking to NBC10 Boston.

The successful surgery has sparked optimism regarding xenotransplantation—transplants from animals to humans—as a potential solution to the global organ donor shortage. Dr. Riella emphasized the scarcity of available kidneys for the numerous patients in need, stating, "This would be a tremendous hope for them to receive a kidney in a timely manner before they become too ill to undergo a transplant—which is the optimal treatment for kidney disease."

The kidney transplanted into Mr. Slayman was engineered by Massachusetts-based company eGenesis. Through genetic editing, harmful pig genes were removed, and certain human genes were added to enhance compatibility with humans.

Since the early 2000s, researchers have endeavored to genetically modify pigs to minimize the risk of transplant rejection by the human immune system.