Man with pig heart transplant dies 2 months later

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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."

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.