Man Who Received the First , GM Pig Heart Transplant Dies , 2 Months After Surgery.
Man Who Received the First , GM Pig Heart Transplant Dies , 2 Months After Surgery.
On March 8, the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) confirmed that the first person to receive a genetically modified pig heart transplant has died.
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'Newsweek' reports that 57-year-old David Bennett had been diagnosed with terminal heart disease.
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He received the genetically modified pig heart transplant in January.
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The UMMC's confirmation of Bennett's death comes just two months after the surgery.
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According to the UMMC, his condition began to rapidly deteriorate just days before his death.
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We are devastated by the loss of Mr. Bennett.
He proved to be a brave and noble patient who fought all the way to the end.
We extend our sincerest condolences to his family, Dr. Bartley Griffith, the surgeon who performed the transplant procedure at UMMC, via 'Newsweek'.
The UMMC said that Bennett was able to communicate with his family during his final moments of life.
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'Newsweek' reports that the transplantation of organs from one species to another is known as xenotransplantation.
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We are grateful to Mr. Bennett for his unique and historic role in helping to contribute to a vast array of knowledge to the field of xenotransplantation, Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, Scientific Director of the Cardiac Xenotransplantation Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, via 'Newsweek'.
We have gained invaluable insights learning that the genetically modified pig heart can function well within the human body while the immune system is adequately suppressed, Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, Scientific Director of the Cardiac Xenotransplantation Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, via 'Newsweek'.
We have gained invaluable insights learning that the genetically modified pig heart can function well within the human body while the immune system is adequately suppressed, Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, Scientific Director of the Cardiac Xenotransplantation Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, via 'Newsweek'.
We remain optimistic and plan on continuing our work in future clinical trials, Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, Scientific Director of the Cardiac Xenotransplantation Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, via 'Newsweek'
