The major problem that occurs with organ transplantation is the shortage of organs
by
iloveskittles223 (student)
Organ Transplant
Organ Transplant is a surgical process of removing or transferring an organ from the donor to the recipient. Organ Transplant is the treatment for the end stage failure of an organ (WHO). Organ Transplantation occurs when a donor agrees to donate their organs to another patient in need. Most donors are deceased but some donors are also living. Organs which can be donated include liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, pancreas and intestines (Clevland Clinic). During the transplant the organ is replaced with a healthy organ from another body. A transplant may also be needed because a person was born with an inherited disease, which causes organ failure (Transplant AU). The main problem with conducting an organ transplant is that the number of patients in need of an organ is much greater than the number of organ donors, as seen in Fig.1. Due to this reason, many patients are held in waiting for very long. During the waiting period, many patients pass away. Before a transplant occurs, a blood test must be done to match the donor and recipient’s blood (Transplant Living). However, there is always a great chance of the organ being rejected by the body. This is dangerous and can be fatal. The immune system of the body may not accept a foreign organ and recognize it as a major threat to the body (Microbiology). Many risks and complications are also involved in the surgery of transplanting the organ. Major risks such as internal bleeding, blood clots, intense pain, internal infection, allergic reactions to medications can all result in death (UC Davis Transplant Center). There has been a significant increase of organ transplants over the years as is seen in Fig 2.Fig 2
Fig 1
The are several reasons for this increase. Diseases have always existed, it is only few years ago, that scientists have discovered, diagnosed and found a cure for them. When the first transplant was successful, it became a common treatment for organ failure over the years. As research was being done and more cases being successful, many people became aware of this method of treatment (UC Davis Transplant Center). As this started becoming a common treatment, awareness was raised for donating organs as more organs were needed. People prefer organ transplantation as it gives them a hope of a new improved life.
Over the years, the success rates of organ transplantation has increased. People are turning to this treatment, therefore surgeons are being trained for the process of organ transplantation. Also during the course of many years, much research has been done behind the process of an organ transplant surgery and advanced technology has been developed. (FAQS). The increase of success is because it started becoming common and surgeries were being conducted often and therefore, surgeons became skilled. Today, success and survival rate of major organ transplant is 90%-50% (NYODN). The major problem that occurs with organ transplantation is the shortage of organs. An alternative that science has developed is genetic engineering. Xenotransplant is where organs are taken from animals (CNN). Scientists are strongly believe in animal organ transplantation. They believe that in the future, Xenotransplantation will be successful. However scientists still need much investigation on this alternative. Some animal organ transplants that have taken place, have not been very successful. Over years scientists hope to develop a technology that will allow animal organ transplantation to be successful. (Science & Medicine). A more successful alternative is embryo cloning or therapeutic cloning. This is a very unique method of creating or producing an organ from one’s own DNA. The process involves taking an ovum from a women, taking the DNA(religioustorlerance). Then a cell is removed from the human body and added to the ovum forming a pre-embryo. The embryo develops to produce many stem cells. The cells would be used in growing a new tissue or organ. Then the organ would be transplanted into the patient. A very effective method, but it has not been practiced a lot as it requires thorough research and development (religioustolerance).
