Regenerative Medicine
Artificial Organs and Artificial Limbs
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Artificial Organs
Artificial Limbs
Ethical Issues
Ethical Issues
There has been a variety of people who have tried looking for other ways for different alternatives. Stem cells was one of the suggestions in which it was tested with adult stem cells to aid failing hearts which concluded with mixed results. Also, there is research on using pig organs as a replacement to human organs but the human body rejects the pig organs because the body sees it as foreign and therefore, can result in violently damaging the internal organs. Overall, artificial organs is the best chance for patients who are desperate in needing a heart transplant. With every synthetic organ, there are many pros and cons that pertains to each of them, and social issues continue to develop as new advancement also progresses also with a great amount of demands for synthetic organs.
Although there are many risks pertaining to synthetic organs, there will always be a risk to any procedure in the medical field. There are many people who are against the use of human patients for clinical trials on artificial transplants as they have a higher risk to death. Patients who have multiple medical conditions who already have a better chance towards death, the trials for transplants may give them enough time to be with their loved ones.
Research on biocompatible prostheses for artificial limbs has created many ethical, legal, and social issues. The research on fusing mechanical limbs with the human nervous system calls for a lot of animal testing. The laws that regulate these tests are sometimes considered unethical and have become a major obstacle for development. Those who disagree with using animals for testing may feel that biocompatibility is morally wrong and feel discontented knowing that most research is funded by the military and government.
Ethical issues over the use of neural implants for sending signals to artificial limbs have erupted due to fears of possible human enhancement. The possibility that certain conservatives fear the enhancements would make a human turn into a “robot” because of Hollywood interpretations of cyborgs, or half-human half-robot, makes some feel threatened by the developments. However, most say that the research for neural implants can enhance those who struggle to live daily life without a disability inhibiting them, and will create the opportunity for amputees to return to full physical capabilities. Another fear is that the advancements can possibly lead to abilities that surpass those of normal humans, causing the demand for invasive technological advancements even if it’s not necessary or needed. The researchers argue that although the possibilities of manipulating the technology is possible, with proper regulations and laws these fears could be eliminated.
Artificial Limbs
Legal Issues
Safety laws by the FDA and ethical worries cause for the careful study of how artificial limbs are designed. The risk of hemorrhage and infection after surgery is a possibility and the FDA is very strict about approving implants. Majority of the patients do not suffer from these side effects after surgical implant and the percentage of those who do are then able to be treated. However, the link between patients with this implant becoming diagnosed with depression or having side effects like personality changes, are unexplained and only occur in a minority of the patients. Most patients who have gone through this procedure are satisfied with the result and have very few side effects after the surgery.
Other issues are the testing on animals to develop and research the basics of biocompatibility. They have tried to test on lab rats for experimenting with linking mechanical wires with the nervous system, they later tested on primates. Also did research using hawk moths to demonstrate and test the possibilities of neural implants on patients. Researchers have also linked the possibilities of having artificial limbs attached to a human body without harming the internal body by observing the Humboldt squid’s beak. These experiments upset animal rights groups that are against animal testing, and creates ethical issues because not all prototypes or experiments go as planned and some tests respond negatively with these animals and sometimes causes death.
Artificial Limbs
Social Issues
A social issue that comes with the procedure is discrimination with people because of how these certain individuals are dependent on the technology. Some believe that artificial limbs give people an unfair advantage, for example the 2008 Summer Olympics, Oscar Pistorius has two artificial legs and was trying to be on the national track team. The (IAAF) International Association of Athletics Federation said that because of these artificial limbs he had an unfair advantage over the other athletes, because he does not rely on his own muscles to run. Others say that if the legs are attached to the person and are being controlled and carried by the individual it should count, and that they should be allowed to compete in the olympics.
The ethical, legal, and social issues are some of the things that hinder rapid development for artificial limbs and biocompatibility. However, research is still going on and innovations are still being made, maybe with some changes to how research is being done that some issues will be resolved. As of now, this branch of biotechnology still exists and is growing in demand.
Organizations such as the FDA have given approval to many companies that are invested in developing a synthetic organ that has fewer health risks. The synthetic organs are still being developed and tested with caution before they perform a transplant on a patient. One main factor that is unfair for most people is the cost for procedure, check-ups, and continuous supplements. Human cloning is considered for those looking for an alternative use of medicine and research. However, many states made the practice of human cloning illegal in the United Nations, Australia, European Union, United States, and the United Kingdom. So far, as technology continues to advance, there is hope for more legal approvals from more organizations and a better understanding on the benefits of synthetic organs.
The FDA has regulated approval on a total artificial heart transplant for transplant patients. Methodist surgeons located from the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Texas, are the first group of surgeons to perform SynCardia,total artificial heart transplant, as the patient awaits for a heart transplant. During a 10 year period, 79 percent of patients have successfully survived the transplant. Some concerns that the public should address is a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), the most common mechanical heart pump, serves the purpose of pumping one side of the heart. The reason being the LVAD becoming a concern is if both of the pumping chambers of the heart no longer produce enough blood, the vital organs will eventually starve of blood and can result in permanent damage. However, the benefits of LVAD outweigh the potential risk as studies show that without the artificial device, 40 percent of patients will die, also, the LVAD can sustain the waiting period of a patient by up to 12-24 months and will be able to allow them time away from the hospital.
There has been many social issues regarding the use of synthetic organs and it has proven to improve the lives of those in need of it. There has been new inventions pertaining to artificial organs such as artificial ears, hearts, and brain. A cochlear implant not only improves the sense of hearing for people who are deaf but can provide a more limited hearing to those who were already born deaf. Once provided, it demonstrated as successful to nearly 200,000 people around the world. Another new invention is an artificial organ that has the ability to develop a permanent replacement for a heart, as of now, it is still being investigated for further analysis. New advancements in synthetic organs can greatly impact the daily lives of people as technology continues to grow.
Legal Issues
Artificial Organs
Social Issues