Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces
Hamas: A delegation from the Hamas leadership, led by the head of the leadership council, Mohammad Darwish, met with an Islamic Jihad delegation, headed by its Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah

Man with pig heart transplant dies 2 months later

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 9 Mar 2022 23:30
3 Min Read

Though the transplant contributed to science, Bennett's life ended after the procedure.

  • x
  • A genetically modified pig heart was transplanted into 57-year-old David Bennett at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore in January.Credit...University of Maryland School of Medicine, via EPA, via Shutterstock
    A genetically modified pig heart was transplanted into David Bennett, 57, at the University of Maryland Medical Center in January. (University of Maryland)

The first person to undergo a pig heart transplant, David Bennett, died two months following the operation, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. 

"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," said Bartley Griffith, the doctor who performed the transplant surgery. 

Bennett had become known by millions around the world for his courage and unwavering will to live, according to Griffith. 

Bennett, 57, was selected for the heart transplant procedure due to being ineligible for the regular heart transplant being on life-support and bedridden. 

The procedure, though failed after two months, contributed to science as it gave "valuable insights that will hopefully inform transplant surgeons to improve outcomes and potentially provide life-saving benefits to future patients." 

The surgery was authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Heart transplant from genetically modified pig heart

David Bennett, a 57-year-old from Maryland, US, successfully underwent a heart transplant with a modified pig heart in January. The surgery was done at Baltimore Hospital in the US.

According to the report by the University of Maryland Medicine, Bennett had terminal heart disease and after medical professionals deemed him ineligible for a traditional transplant, the pig's heart was the "only available option."

Related News

What is Netanyahu smoking? Araghchi slams Israeli influence over US

Pentagon official assessment shifted US focus from Ukraine to China

Before his surgery, Bennett said he knew the option was "A shot in the dark," but added that he wanted to live.

The surgery was authorized on December 31 by the FDA.

Pig genes that cause human immune systems to reject pig organs were extracted from the donor pig, and one gene was eliminated to avoid excessive pig heart tissue development.

Six human genes involved in immune acceptance were added.

Bennett will need constant monitoring for weeks to check for immune system issues and ensure the transplant was successful in saving his life.

Surgeon Dr. Bartley P. Griffith expresses that there are "simply not enough donor human hearts available to meet the long list of potential recipients."

Art Caplan, a professor of bioethics at New York University, says the US faces a "terrible" shortage of potential organs for donation.

According to organdonor.gov, 17 people die a day in the US while awaiting an organ transplant.

Caplan feels that animal parts are a viable option for the future, but asks "can we get there with minimal harm to the first volunteers?" 

For many years, pig heart valves have been transplanted into people.

  • United States
  • heart disease
  • Transplant
  • pig heart transplant

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS