Historic First: David Bennett Receives Genetically Modified Pig Heart

I got chills when I first read about this surgery. On January 7, 2022, a team of surgeons at the University of Maryland Medical Center did something no one had ever done: they transplanted a genetically modified pig heart into a living human patient. David Bennett Sr., 57, with terminal heart disease and ineligible for a conventional transplant, said yes to a procedure with zero precedent. After a family member needed a kidney transplant, this became personal for me — and David Bennett's story is a raw reminder of what happens when the system runs out of answers. 17 people die every day waiting. David refused to be one of them.

The Procedure

The pig heart came from a pig genetically modified by Revivicor, a biotech company. Ten genes were altered: four pig genes that trigger immune rejection were knocked out, and six human genes were inserted to help the human body accept the organ. The eight-hour surgery was performed under a compassionate use authorization from the FDA, granted because Bennett had no other viable treatment options.

"It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know it's a shot in the dark, but it's my last choice." — David Bennett Sr., before the surgery

The Outcome

Bennett survived for two months after the transplant, dying on March 8, 2022. During that time, the pig heart functioned without signs of immediate immune rejection — a remarkable achievement. Post-mortem analysis later revealed the presence of a pig virus (porcine cytomegalovirus) in the transplanted heart, which may have contributed to his death. This finding led to improved screening protocols for future xenotransplant procedures. Every detail from this case is shaping what comes next.

Why This Matters

The Bennett case opened a new era in xenotransplantation — the transplantation of organs between species. If pig organs can be reliably modified for use in humans, the organ shortage could theoretically be eliminated. There are roughly 100,000 people on the U.S. transplant waiting list at any given time; pig organs could eventually provide an unlimited supply. This isn't just a scientific milestone — it's a window into what desperation drives people to do when the system fails them. The system, not individuals, is what needs fixing.

"This was a breakthrough surgery that brings us one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis." — Dr. Bartley Griffith, lead surgeon, University of Maryland

YCOD's Perspective

I want to be direct: xenotransplantation is a promising long-term solution, but it is not a substitute for policy change today. Pig organ transplants are years — likely decades — from routine clinical use. Meanwhile, 17 people die every day in the U.S. waiting for organs. We at YCOD believe that changing the default saves lives — right now, today — through opt-out organ donation legislation like Bill A07954. I'm all for investing in the science that may one day make the waitlist obsolete. But I couldn't stay on the sidelines while people die waiting for a future that hasn't arrived yet. This is a policy problem, not just a medical one.