Families of people who died after pig organ transplants have no regrets
Four people have received heart or kidney transplants from pigs. All died after weeks or months. Some of their relatives describe the roller coaster experience.
David Bennett Jr. knelt by his bedside, phone in hand, anxiously awaiting a call that no one had ever received: The hospital was due to update him on whether his father was still alive after getting a new heart — from a pig.
It was the first time any living human had received a pig organ transplant.
“You never know what the news is, but my dad opened his eyes, and he was awake, and he was doing well. It was incredible,” Bennett Jr. said.
Bennett’s father, David Bennett Sr., had severe congestive heart failure and wasn’t a candidate for a human transplant. He knew he would likely die soon. There was nothing more to do — other than take a chance on a novel, cutting-edge surgery. Bennett Sr. and his son agreed it was worth the risk.
The achievement made headlines around the world after the transplant surgery in January 2022. The results at first seemed promising, and some family members even began to entertain the idea that Bennett Sr. might eventually leave the hospital.
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