A New Chapter of Life: Woman Receives Pig Kidney

A Breakthrough in Xenotransplantation

Hope shines brighter. Towana Looney, 53, received a kidney transplant. Doctors used a genetically engineered pig. She is the third person to receive this revolutionary procedure. NYU Langone Health performed the surgery on November 25. Looney was on kidney dialysis before the transplant. She is now free from dialysis. She left the hospital on December 6. Her doctors report she is in good health.

This surgery is xenotransplantation. It’s the practice of transplanting organs between species. This could solve the human donor organ shortage.

The Critical Need for Organ Donors

Over 103,000 people are waiting for a transplant. Most need a kidney. There’s a critical shortage of human organs. Researchers are exploring pig organs. They offer a potential solution. « I’m overjoyed, » Looney stated at a press conference. « I’m blessed to have received this gift. A second chance at life. »

Previous Attempts and Lessons Learned

Earlier this year, history was made. Doctors performed pig kidney transplants on living people for the first time. In March, Richard Slayman, 62, received a pig kidney. It was a genetically engineered pig. Massachusetts General Hospital performed the transplant. He did well initially. He died almost two months later. Doctors said his death was unrelated to the transplant. In November, his surgeon declared an « unexpected cardiac event ». His body did not reject the organ.

In April, another attempt was made. Lisa Pisano, 54, received a pig kidney and thymus gland. She also had a mechanical heart pump. The thymus was added to prevent rejection. NYU Langone performed the surgery. After 47 days, doctors removed the kidney. Her heart pump was failing. It couldn’t pump enough blood. The kidney needed constant blood flow. Without it, it would fail. Pisano died in July.

The Road Ahead

Two people received pig hearts. Both transplants were at the University of Maryland. The patients died less than two months after surgery. They were too sick to leave the hospital.