Organ supplies are stagnant and scarce. This poses a critical issue. Fortunately with today’s technology, (aside from human transplantation) two major potential solutions have derived: xenotransplantation (the process of replacing human organs with animal organs) and organ engineering or tissue engineering (creating tissues and organs from human cells). Aside from the promising benefits and breakthroughs, these two methods are far from perfect, and although there has been successful cases, there are obstacles and missing aspects. These two methods will deliver a change and a huge impact in the medical world despite the imperfections they posses. The lack of organs has been an issue for decades and still is an issue, but as potential solutions,
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However, an average of 18 people die each day waiting for transplants that can 't take place because of the shortage of donated organs.” Over the course of twenty-two years from 1991 to 2013, the number of people in need of organ transplants have dramatically increased from 23,198 to over 121,000. In the same span of time, the number of transplants and donors have only doubled. Xenotransplantation and organ engineering may be full of potential, but they are still premature and time is a factor. The first probable solution, xenotransplantation, is the process of grafting or transplanting organs or tissues between members of different species. The term derived from “xeno” which means relating to a foreigner and “transplant” which is to move or transfer something to another place or situation. In medical terms, it is basically defined as the transplantation of animal tissue, cells, and organs into humans. Replacing human organs with whole pig organs is still placed in the near future, but there have been several successful cases concerning pig tissues surgically transferred into humans. Known as SIS (Small Intestinal …show more content…
Organ engineering is currently just a theoretical possibility. So then, it 's not so much about engineering organs, but the tissue engineering. The article, “Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine,” explains how tissue engineering (currently) doesn 't really have a big part in treating serious ailments. Doctors have used it for bladders, skin, arteries, cartilage and so on, “but the procedures are still experimental and very costly. While more complex organ tissues like heart, lung, and liver tissue have been successfully recreated in the lab, they are a long way from being fully reproducible and ready to implant into a patient.” Some scientists and research have begun printing human organs using a modified 3D printer, but it 's quiet expensive. Organ engineering is in its very early stages, and like xenotransplantation, organ engineering is still developing, and is currently focused on tissues rather than whole organs. Organ transplantation has many cons and flaws. For one, there are not enough donors! Tens of thousands are left on the waiting list waiting to die. Organ transplantation also has issues with the organ matching the patient, rejection, and exposure to damage and infection. Scientists and researchers are trying to find ways to improve the process, but the process itself is not as efficient as it needs to be. This is where organ/tissue engineering and xenotransplantation
However, an average of 18 people die each day waiting for transplants that can 't take place because of the shortage of donated organs.” Over the course of twenty-two years from 1991 to 2013, the number of people in need of organ transplants have dramatically increased from 23,198 to over 121,000. In the same span of time, the number of transplants and donors have only doubled. Xenotransplantation and organ engineering may be full of potential, but they are still premature and time is a factor. The first probable solution, xenotransplantation, is the process of grafting or transplanting organs or tissues between members of different species. The term derived from “xeno” which means relating to a foreigner and “transplant” which is to move or transfer something to another place or situation. In medical terms, it is basically defined as the transplantation of animal tissue, cells, and organs into humans. Replacing human organs with whole pig organs is still placed in the near future, but there have been several successful cases concerning pig tissues surgically transferred into humans. Known as SIS (Small Intestinal …show more content…
Organ engineering is currently just a theoretical possibility. So then, it 's not so much about engineering organs, but the tissue engineering. The article, “Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine,” explains how tissue engineering (currently) doesn 't really have a big part in treating serious ailments. Doctors have used it for bladders, skin, arteries, cartilage and so on, “but the procedures are still experimental and very costly. While more complex organ tissues like heart, lung, and liver tissue have been successfully recreated in the lab, they are a long way from being fully reproducible and ready to implant into a patient.” Some scientists and research have begun printing human organs using a modified 3D printer, but it 's quiet expensive. Organ engineering is in its very early stages, and like xenotransplantation, organ engineering is still developing, and is currently focused on tissues rather than whole organs. Organ transplantation has many cons and flaws. For one, there are not enough donors! Tens of thousands are left on the waiting list waiting to die. Organ transplantation also has issues with the organ matching the patient, rejection, and exposure to damage and infection. Scientists and researchers are trying to find ways to improve the process, but the process itself is not as efficient as it needs to be. This is where organ/tissue engineering and xenotransplantation