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The twelve-man team of physicians and surgeons headed by Dr. Keith Reemtsma emphasized that the Davis transplant is no science-fiction spectacular. Said Dr. Reemtsma: "We have taken every precaution with this transplant. Even if it should now fail, we could still defend its use ethically and medically." One factor that gives this operation a better chance of success than the woman's is that her transplant, from a 25-lb. monkey, had small capacity. But even if they functioned at only 50% efficiency, the 80-lb. Adam's kidneys would still be capable of clearing the blood for the 130-lb. Davis.
At week's end, the famed Denver transplant team put a baboon's kidneys in the flank of a 40-year-old man. His condition: "Satisfactory."