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).
Most patients are expected to survive an organ transplant. There are very few cases where patients don’t survive. Organ transplantation is a very successful and safe method of treating organ failure (FAQS). However, the only problem that occurs, is organ rejection from the immune system. Scientist has also found the solution for organ rejection. Immunosuppressive drugs are the only solution that is given to patients with organ transplants. When a new organ is placed, the human’s immune system recognizes it as a foreign tissue, thus rejecting the new organ (FAQS). Therefore immunosuppressive drugs have been developed to allow the organ to function properly and suppress the immune system. Organ rejection can’t be verified before the transplant, therefore patients have to take Immunosuppressive drugs for life time, to ensure maximum survival (BIDMC). Immunosuppressive drugs have many side effects, which are harmful to the body. General side effects include increased risk of infection and tumors (British Transplant Society). This treatment of immunosuppressive drugs does ensure survival, but is not the most effective method, as long-term medications have damaging effects (BTS). The second problem that occurs with organ transplantation is the shortage of organs. Scientists and biotechnology companies are researching xenotransplantation as a way of solving the issue of organ shortage. Statistics show 60,000 patients die each year due liver failure, implying that even though liver is the second most commonly transplanted organ, there is still a shortage (FAQS). Scientists haven’t found a successful way of addressing organ shortage yet. Research shows that through genetic engineering, similar animal organs can be modified to prevent organ rejection. In 1993, a baboon liver to human body transplant took place in Pittsburg, USA, which was a success. The patient died in 26 days due to an immune system infection (BBC). Xenotransplantation would solve the problem of organ shortage, as patients wouldn’t have to wait for many years to receive an organ. However, the problem of immune rejection would still remain and there would also be risks of viruses and infections passing from the animals to the human (Buzzle). However through Therapeutic cloning the problem of immune rejection would be resolved, as the organ is created using one’s own tissue and DNA. Although this method also needs much advancement and is a possibility of the future. There wouldn’t also be a need for donors for patients in waiting. In this method a person’s DNA is used so there would be no immune rejection. Although in this method there is the problem of retrieving eggs(ovum), this is a very painful and risky process. Also millions of eggs would be required but the availability is limited (eHow). This method is costly, yet unreliable as it’s not a common treatment and has been discovered only several years ago.
There are many societal and ethical issues involved in organ transplants. The first is the retrieval of the organ. There is a shortage of organs and maybe, if people were paid for their organs, there wouldn’t be such a big shortage. However many believe that this may not be ethical. If patients were able to buy organs it would prevent suffering and pain as they wouldn’t have to wait for years for an organ. If this method is adapted, there would be a great increase in number of organs (Caplan, 157). There are several drawbacks of this method of organ retrieval. Firstly, many poor people who are need of money, would sell their organs, or if a poor patient was in need of an organ, might not be able to afford it. It would affect the economical situation of a patient in need, as this would depend on their wealth. The buying and selling of organs, known as organ trafficking, is a major problem in the third world countries such as India, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan (The Human Trafficking Project). People run large businesses of organ trade. They exploit the poor, by forcing them to donate organs in return for money. This is illegal as it violates personal rights. The donation of organs should be voluntary for the thought of saving lives. This is not ethical as its taking advantages of peoples’ needs (Yahoo News). Many refuse to donate organs, as they believe it is painful and causes further health complications. But poverty drives people’s desperation of money. This is not beneficial as the poor donate organs because they are helpless. The thought of using animal organs also raises controversies. Many believe that it is unethical to uses animals for human benefits. It is believed to be cruel and selfish to kill animals for human purpose. There would also be the risk of pandemics. Many people are also against it as animals are known for carrying many diseases and infections. It would affect the society at large if an animal organ carrying disease is transplanted, which spreads infection to others (theguradian) . It would, however save many lives, as it would combat the shortage of organs. Also many donors might suffer from complications, but if animals are used then, this wouldn’t be a concern. The use of animals may also bring up cultural or religious issues. In Islam, the belief of using God’s creations, animals, for benefit is prohibited, but in the future xenotransplantation is a likely solution for organ shortage. This may not be accepted by many other religions as well(The modern religion). Organ trafficking or Xenotransplantation may help eradicate the organ shortage, but they have raised many ethical issues.
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Works Cited
Caplan, Arthur L., and Daniel H. Coelho. The Ethics of Organ Transplants: The Current Debate. Amherst, NY: Prometheus, 1998. Print.
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