Artificial Organs A Step Toward Safer Living
The worldwide shortage of available donor organs provides little to no hope for patients wishing to have a chance at new life. ... In response to the organ shortage, scientists have made recent advances in transplant technology with the development of two new types of organ replacement: xenotransplantation and artificial organ replacement; the latter of the two types consists of either synthetic or natural materials. However, because xenotransplantation poses many health risks, artificial organs provide a more sensible, disease-free approach to organ replacement. Thus, efforts of scientists and engineers should be directed toward furthering the development of artificial and bioartificial organs and materials. Artificial organs are synthetic devices that replace injured or weakened body parts and functions. Similarly, engineered bioartificial organs serve the same purpose of organ replacement, but are produced using human cells. Xenotransplants, on the other hand, are obtained or grown using animal organs, tissues, and cells – particularly those of pigs and baboons.