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Alabama Woman Receives Third-Ever Pig Kidney Transplant at NYU Langone Health, No Longer on Dialysis

Dec 17, 2024, 04:37 PM

Towana Looney, a 53-year-old woman from Alabama, has become the third person to receive a kidney transplant from a genetically modified pig, marking a significant advancement in xenotransplantation. The procedure was performed at NYU Langone Health on November 25, 2024, and Looney was able to leave the hospital just 11 days later. She is currently the only person in the world living with a functioning pig kidney. Looney, who had been on dialysis for eight years following kidney failure caused by pregnancy complications, is reported to be in good health and no longer requires dialysis. The pig kidney used in the transplant had 10 gene edits to enhance compatibility and reduce the risk of rejection. This development is seen as a step towards addressing the organ shortage crisis, with plans for clinical trials expected to begin next year.