Eckert 4:00
R01
PRACTICALITY OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTIFICIAL ORGANS
Joshua George (JKG23@pitt.edu)
implementation of artificial organs in the present society
is astounding and it should not be taken lightly for it
might save thousands of lives. Artificial Organs should be
used whenever possible.
INTRODUCTION: THE NECESSITY OF
ARTIFICIAL ORGANS
Providing Options in a Hopeless Situation
WHY I CARE: THE STORY BEHIND IT
ALL
I remember sitting in the hospital, asking God why
things like this happen to people. It was only when I had
become older when I realized how hopeless the situation
which we were in was. If my family was put into the same
situation today, the outcome would be much different.
The progress made by bioengineers over the past decade
is unprecedented, and instead of being put onto a huge
waiting list, an artificial heart could have been made by
using my uncles’ own cells [5]. The practicality of an
artificial organ in a developed country is great and it
could give many people who did not have any hope
another chance to live. Now we are saving lives through
the construction of organs; in 10 years we might be
constructing limbs made completely out of the individuals
own tissue. Who knows what will come next?
That’s what makes learning about new research and
developments in the world so exciting and valuable to an
education. Every freshman engineer should research a
topic, regarding engineering, which truly interests them so
that they will have a better idea of what they want to
major in and what they want to do with their life.
The implementation of the resources on hand is
absolutely necessary if we are to continue to evolve.
Human beings continuously develop and adapt to the
situations surrounding us so that we are able to create a
better environment and lifestyle for ourselves and our
children, so what makes this case any different? However,
when looking at all the potential of artificial organs, a
close look must be given to the draw backs of something
which has the potential to be very influential in the
modern medical world. The main issue with creating
artificial organs is one of key methods which the organ is
created through. The main method is the use of stem cells,
which has been highly controversial for many years for
ethical reasons; however organs can now be created by
using the donor’s own stem cells as a catalyst and base for
the organ, thus negating the arguments made against stem
cells in the past. People must also remember that a
Bioengineer abides by a Code of Conduct that he follows
which would be another deterrent to doing anything
illegal or unethical. While no one code can stop all
offenders, having a document that spells out what is
ethical, and what is not, may greatly help to reduce
potential lawbreakers. Overall, the practicality of the
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering
10/30/12
“Cardiomyopathy”, my mother said. The word meant
little to me at the time. All I knew was that my uncle had
been in the hospital for what had seemed like ages. I
remember seeing everyone crying and it didn’t make any
sense; my uncle was still alive and everyone was crying
like he had died. His heart had deteriorated to a point
where nothing but a freshly donated heart would save
him. It almost came to a point where we were wishing for
the demise someone else for my uncle to live. And
looking back on it, I find it disgusting to even think about.
However, all the selfish hoping was in vain. A heart never
came and my uncle passed away in front of all of us. It
was then when I had resolved to try and make a difference
in this world so that another person or family wouldn’t
have to go through what my family did. If there was
anything that could be within our control, I’d find it.
PRACTICALITY OF APPLYING
ARTICIAL ORGANS TO PATIENTS
IN NEED
In today’s society, the needs for organs and
transplants are extremely high. As of December 2009,
there were 107,869 candidates on a nation-wide organ
transplant waiting lists and as of May 2010, there were
2,221 donors [2]. That is almost 1 organ per .02 people
available for donation. Currently the ratio of candidates to
donors must be staggering and I find that frightening. This
can be changed. Now we can give people life in hopeless
situations. Before people would have no control over the
situation, but now people can have a choice where they
want to proceed. They can either be put on a waiting list
and wait or be pro-active about their situation.
The amazing thing about the practicality of artificial
organs is their range of use. Their functions are as vast as
the human body and there are very few things which the
human body can do which cannot be replicated with the
resources at hand [1]. A blind man would be able to see, a
man with erectile dysfunction can make love to his wife,
1
Joshua George
and a man who had lung cancer can breathe cleanly again
[3][4]. One of the very interesting applications of a plan
involving artificial organs is that the organ does not even
need to be completely artificial. There are two plausible
ways to construct an artificial organ. One way is to
completely create a new organ by tissue replication and
stem cell implantation, and the other is the “seeding” of
another person’s organ, most likely a cadaver’s [1]. The
first method is very feasible since it is relatively quick and
pain free and it’s almost impossible for the organ to be
rejected since it is completely made by the hosts’ own
cells; however it could be quite expensive for the
recipient of the organ [1]. Seeding, on the other hand,
consists of embedding stem cells into another’s organ so
that the cells would rejuvenate the organ and it would take
on the characteristics of the host’s DNA [6]. Seeding is
also very effective due to the availability of organs in
cadavers.
ETHICAL CONCERNS REGARDING
ARTIFICIAL ORGANS
Controversy regarding the use of stem cells is not a
new issue whatsoever, especially in regards to the
creation of human tissue. People view it as unethical
because of the origin of the stem cells which were used in
the past, namely embryos. However the stem cells used in
cases regarding artificial organs are derived from the host
so those arguments are invalid. There have been and
always will be people who do not want to move forward
for fear of what come, but we cannot let fear stop us from
moving forward.
Bioengineers’ first and foremost duty, according to the
Bio Medical Engineering Society, is to use their
knowledge, skills, and abilities to enhance the safety,
health, and welfare of the public [7]. If they are to abide
by their first law, then they must be allowed to continue
researching and experimenting when the situation is
regarding stem cells. The things that they would learn
would not only benefit themselves, but all of humanity.
And in the pursuit of their knowledge, they would
conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and
lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and
usefulness of the profession [8]. As I have stated before,
the major ethical concern regarding the implementation of
artificial organs is the use of stem cells. And as I have
stated a number of times before, the stem cell derivation
regarding the hosts’ organs come from the host himself.
Realizing that the main argument against the use of stem
cells have been acknowledged, we can be assured that it is
ethical to research and develop artificial organs.
PROGRESS IS A GIFT
When thinking about artificial organs, a thought
comes to mind: survival of the fittest. While the literal
definition of the phrase might not be directly applicable to
the concept of artificial organs, I believe that the phrase
perfectly describes the use of them. Humans have been
adapting to survive since the beginning of our time and
this is really just a progression of that fact. We have been
changing and adapting to our environment for thousands
of generations for one simple reason: life. If we did not
progress, we would still be living in the same primitive
conditions as our ancestors were. So when we are given
an opportunity to prolong human life, why should we not
take advantage? In every generation there have been leaps
and bounds in the realm of science and if a blind eye is
turned to the current day, something revolutionary might
be missed. Whether that bound is an artificial heart or not,
that risk must be taken.
People have been trying to live longer under
conditions which they are barely even alive. There have
been thousands upon thousands of cases where a patient
who is brain dead, or comatose, is kept alive, but he
cannot function whatsoever. So when we have the
opportunity to increase life duration, it just does not make
sense why we do not utilize all of these resources on
hand. We have the capability to extend human life, and
keep the individual independent of others to take care of
them; that in itself is a true gift to families everywhere.
After we have perfected artificial organs, we may have
stumbled onto something else which could impact human
life. First we create organs, then limbs, and then maybe
even clones. Everything is linked and the progression of
one will lead to the evolution of the other. But of course,
there will be people who oppose progression.
RESEARCH IS KEY
Engineering is for people who are passionate about
what they do. So it is especially important for the young
and inexperienced engineers to have to research and write
about the field that they want to enter. Researching and
writing about a specific topic might strengthen a resolve
to become a bio engineer, while it might completely derail
a person’s desire to proceed with engineering.
And because the student will have the choice of what
he or she wants to research, a certain passion will be
involved in the development of the paper which cannot be
feigned. And the passion is what drives engineers around
the world, so if an engineering student cannot find a topic
about which they are truly passionate about, then
obviously they are looking at the wrong profession. The
need for competent and passionate engineers in the world
is only going to grow as time moves on. That is what
makes the freshmen engineering such a needed
foundation and the only way to strengthen the foundation
is to make sure the students which make up the
foundation are sound in their resolve to be engineers. This
2
Joshua George
paper ensures that the foundation will be sound because
most of the freshmen engineers who cannot find
something on which they are passionate about will
undoubtedly fall off the path of becoming an engineer.
Personally, learning about artificial organs was not
only fascinating, it was also very gratifying. Learning that
children will not have to be put into the same situation
that myself and my cousins were put in made me
extremely happy. This research paper may not have
dictated what I choose to do with my life, but it helped
put me onto the right track. Now I know that if I do not
become a doctor, I can still achieve a portion of my dream
by saving lives through the development of artificial
organs.
Writing this paper also refreshes the engineering
students on how to write proper papers since most of our
curriculum is math and science orientated. It ensures we
do not forget the proper techniques and formatting
requirements for an acceptable research paper. For while
engineering jobs, for the most part, are more of a handson nature, there may be occurrences when writing about
research or something similar may be necessary and it is
imperative that the students are prepared by any means
necessary.
CONCLUSION: WHY
WIDEN THE USE OF
ORGANS
passes. And a person must not worry about if there is an
ethical code which is being broken by creating artificial
organs, because there really are no ethical codes which
can be broken due to the precautions taken by the
developers of artificial organs. By acknowledging this
fact there must not be a delay in our progression. Every
ethical concern has been taken into consideration before
the actual development of the organs and any future ones
will as well. That is why it is essential that we move
forward so that mankind can evolve.
REFERENCES
[1] O. Frazer, W. Cohn, E. Tuzun (2009). “ContinuousFlow Total Artificial Heart Supports Long-Term Survival
of a Calf.” Texas Heart Institute Journal (Online article).
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gove/pmc/articles/PMC2801939
[2] F. Ambrosio, S. Wolf, A. Delitto (2010). “The
Emerging Relationship Between Regenerative Medicinal
and Physical Therapeutics.” Journal of the American
Physical Therapy Association. (Online article).
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gove/pmc/articles/PMC2996510
[3] E. Karpman (2012). “Streamlined Approach for
Infrapubic Placement of an Inflatable Penile Prosthesis.”
Advances
in
Urology
(Online
article).
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gove/pmc/articles/PMC33681774
WE MUST
ARTIFICIAL
[4] H. Nolan, D. Wang, J. Zwischenberger (2011).
“Artificial Lung Basics.” Organogenesis (Online article).
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gove/pmc/articles/PMC3082030
The resources are here for us to create organs for
people to not only simply survive, but to live, so why not
make the most of it? What I went through as a child can
be completely avoided for people everywhere now and
that is truly a showcase of the power of the development
of technology over the past decade. The practicality of
artificial organs is staggering in every aspect and it must
be implemented internationally. Just a decade ago, people
thought that creating artificial organs was impossible, and
now it is not only possible, but practical. If the speed at
which scientists are discovering new practices and
techniques continues at this exponential pace, who knows
what will be possible a decade from now? The reason for
this progression is because of the adept engineering
schooling offered around the world. As new techniques
are developed, their origins and derivations are being
taught and explained at universities around the world.
These lead to new innovations and allow students to form
a very solid background of pre-existing knowledge. If the
future of engineering is not up to speed, exponential
progress is not possible, so to ensure rapid growth,
research must be done by every freshman engineer to
make sure they are serious about becoming engineers.
During their research, they will not only become more
proficient engineers, but writers as well, which will help
them convey the importance of their discoveries as time
[5] F. Watt (2010). “The therapeutic potential of stem
cells.” The Royal Society. (Online Report).
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2842697
[6] H. Fountain (2012). “A First: Organs Tailor-Made
with Body’s Own Cells.” NY Times (Online Article)
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/health/research/scie
ntists-make-progress-in-tailor-madeorgans.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
[7] “Biomedical Engineering Society Code of Ethics”
Biomedical Engineering Society (Online Article)
http://www.bmes.org/aws/BMES/pt/sp/ethics
[8] “NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers” NSPE (Online
Article)
http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html
[9] Rugarcia, A(2000). “The future of engineering
education I. A vision for a new century”. Chemical
engineering
education
(Online
Article)
http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/publ
ic/Papers/Quartet1.pdf
3
Joshua George
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank my roommate Leonid Mirson for
attempting to keep me sane while I wrote this paper. He
may not have succeeded, but at least he tried.
4