New Hampshire Man Becomes Second Person to Live with Pig Kidney, Free from Dialysis

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Tim Andrews, a 66-year-old from New Hampshire, has become the second known person to survive with a transplanted pig kidney and is now free from dialysis. Following a successful transplant on January 25 at Massachusetts General Hospital, Andrews reported a significant improvement in his health and referred to himself as a "new man" after waking up post-surgery.

His case is part of an experimental study exploring the potential of xenotransplantation to address the critical shortage of human organs. According to officials, the first four attempts at pig organ transplants were unsuccessful, but newfound hope emerged last November when an Alabama woman thrived after receiving a pig kidney. Doctors, authorized by the FDA, plan to conduct further transplants utilizing gene-edited pig kidneys.

Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, who led Andrews' surgery, expressed optimism for the future of xenotransplantation, currently benefiting from advanced genetic research to make pig organs more compatible with the human body. With over 100,000 people in the U.S. awaiting kidney transplants, Andrews aims to inspire hope among patients still reliant on dialysis.

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