WASHINGTON: A second individual who received a genetically modified heart from a pig has died. Lawrence Faucett, aged 58, succumbed to complications 40 days after the heart transplant.

The Maryland School of Medicine reported that Lawrence's new heart functioned effectively for the initial 30 days, but subsequently displayed signs of rejection. Despite efforts by the medical team to save him, Lawrence's condition deteriorated, leading to his death. Due to a pre-existing condition affecting blood vessels and causing bleeding complications, he was deemed unfit for a human heart transplant.

Both pig heart transplants were conducted by the Maryland School of Medicine. The initial recipient of the pig's heart also died due to deteriorating health, two months post-surgery. This innovative surgical procedure is fraught with challenges, particularly in terms of its impact on the patient's immune system. While there have been successful experiments involving genetically modified pig hearts transplanted into brain-dead patients over the years, this case highlights the complexities and risks associated with such procedures.