The second individual to undergo a pig heart transplant has passed away, nearly six weeks after the groundbreaking surgical procedure.

Lawrence Faucette, aged 58, was suffering from heart failure and was not eligible for a conventional heart transplant when he received a genetically modified pig heart on September 20.

The pig heart transplant appeared to be functioning well for the initial month, as reported by the University of Maryland School of Medicine. However, in recent days, it started displaying signs of rejection.

Ann Faucette, Mr. Faucette’s wife, mentioned that her husband was aware that his time was limited and saw this as his final opportunity to contribute to others. She further added in a statement released by the hospital that he never expected to survive as long as he did.

First Pig Heart Transplant.

The Maryland hospital team in Baltimore performed the world’s first pig heart transplant last year, with David Bennett surviving for two months before the heart failed. Although the exact reason for the failure was not entirely clear, later examinations detected signs of a pig virus within the organ.

Following this, the transplant team made adjustments, including more rigorous virus testing, before conducting the second experimental procedure.

Dr. Bartley Griffith, the surgeon who led the transplant, stated that Mr. Faucette’s final wish was for the medical community to derive valuable insights from their experience.

As they continue their research on pig organs for cardiac xenotransplants, the team will closely analyze the events surrounding the transplanted pig heart.

Efforts to achieve animal-to-human organ transplants, known as xenotransplants, have encountered numerous failures over the years, primarily due to the immediate rejection of non-human tissue by the recipients’ immune systems.

Scientists are now working on genetically modifying pigs to make their organs more compatible with human recipients. Many in the scientific community are hopeful that xenotransplants could potentially address the significant shortage of human organ donations in the future.

In the United Kingdom, there are approximately 7,000 people on the organ transplant waiting list.

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