New Hampshire Man Receives Experimental Pig Kidney as Transplant Trials Begin

In a significant step forward in the field of xenotransplantation, a 54-year-old man from New Hampshire has received a genetically modified pig kidney in an experimental transplant procedure. The operation was performed on June 14 at Massachusetts General Hospital, and doctors reported that the patient, Bill Stewart, is recovering well. Stewart, an athletic trainer from Dover, expressed his desire to contribute to scientific progress, saying, "I really wanted to contribute to the science of it." This case marks a milestone in ongoing efforts to explore the viability of using animal organs to address the critical shortage of human donors.

The success of Stewart’s transplant is complemented by another case involving Tim Andrews, also from New Hampshire, whose pig kidney has kept him off dialysis for over seven months—the longest such duration recorded for a genetically edited pig organ. Prior to this, the maximum known survival was 130 days. These promising results have prompted the FDA to authorize a dedicated study of pig kidney transplants, aiming to better understand their potential to save lives.

Currently, over 100,000 individuals in the U.S. are awaiting kidney transplants, and many die each year while waiting for a suitable donor. Scientists are genetically engineering pigs to produce organs that are more compatible with humans, reducing the risk of rejection. While early experiments involved very ill patients and short-lived transplants, recent advancements have shown more durable outcomes with improved genetic modifications.

In Stewart’s case, high blood pressure initially caused his kidneys to fail, but he had no other major health issues. He faced a long wait of up to seven years for a matching human kidney through traditional transplantation methods. After two years on dialysis, he learned about the recent successes at Mass General and decided to participate. Stewart’s proactive approach and curiosity about science highlight the growing interest and hope within the patient community.

The ongoing research underscores the importance of developing alternative solutions to meet the huge demand for organ transplants. Gene-edited pig organs could provide a timely bridge for patients, offering an extension of life and quality of life while they wait for human donation options. The new clinical trial by eGenesis will involve 30 patients aged 50 or older on dialysis, while other companies like United Therapeutics are preparing similar studies.

Although the early results are encouraging, experts emphasize that it is still too soon to know how long pig kidneys might last in humans. The primary goal now is to buy patients time—potentially a year or longer—until suitable human organs are available. These developments could significantly impact the future of organ transplantation, providing hope to thousands of patients nationwide.