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