Man-made organs, new breakthroughs in treating chronic diseases

The development of technology in the health sector is so fast and amazing. Imagine, if there is no assisted reproductive technology such as IVF, perhaps many prospective parents have to bury their dreams of having children. There are also pacemakers that can help heart disease patients live an easier life. Not quite there, scientists are currently perfecting the technology of artificial organs.

Artificial organs are expected to be a breakthrough in overcoming various types of chronic diseases. Suppose you have heart problems. Wouldn't it be nice if you had a "spare" heart that could be implanted to replace the damaged heart, right?

Actually, how do artificial organs work and how far has they been developing at this time? Just consider the five important facts about man-made organs below.

1. The advantages of artificial organs

Before artificial organs were developed, humans relied on organ donation. However, organ donation takes a very long time so that in many cases the patient's illness gets worse. The reason is, it is not easy to get an organ donor. You can wait months or even years. Even if you have received a donor, it is not certain that the organ is suitable and can function in your body.

Man-made organs can answer this problem. By making their own human organs that are transplanted from a person's body cells, scientists can produce new organs. The compatibility is also more assured because the organ is basically made from the patient's own cells.

2. How the artificial organs work

Currently, the use of artificial organs has proven its success. You may be wondering, how can humans develop new organs such as kidneys and implant them in the patient's body? To produce new organs, experts utilize stem cell treatment methods (stem cells) patient. Stem cells are the parent cells that will produce new cells in the body.

After taking a sample of cells from the patient's body, these cells will be developed in the laboratory. Experts may add various materials such as metal, carbon, or polymers (a type of natural tissue) to form the perfect organ.

Then these organs will be transferred into the patient's body. In the body, these new organs will later function exactly like the original organs.

3. What limbs can be fitted with artificial organs?

Until now, several organs have been successfully duplicated. These include the heart, kidneys, lungs, bladder, eye retina and ear cochlea. Later the researchers hope that all parts of the human body can be duplicated to replace the damaged ones.

Unfortunately, in Indonesia, this sophisticated practice has not been implemented. So far the hospital and homeland scientists have only carried out a series of in-depth research and clinical trials around man-made organs.

4. Artificial organs are not permanent

Although the development of man-made organs sounds astonishing, current science is insufficient to replace permanently damaged organs. So, at this time the artificial organs were only temporarily made and installed, until the patient later received a truly suitable organ donor.

But don't worry, experts are still struggling to create artificial organs that can replace the function of organs that are permanently damaged.

5. The future of artificial organs

One day, artificial organ development scientists hope there will be a special device such as a printing press that can produce organs in a short time. Not that it contains ink printer like a copier or printing machine, this tool will be filled with various cells and tissues of the human body.

With these molded organs, medical personnel can certainly save the lives of thousands or even millions of people who suffer from chronic diseases. In addition, these organs can be used to test a variety of the latest medical treatments and procedures. However, a breakthrough of that magnitude will certainly generate further moral and ethical debate.