Introduction

Several cases of end-stage organ failure have been treated successfully through organ transplantation. An organ transplant is performed if a specific organ is about to fail and must be replaced to maintain its functioning [1]. The NHS states that 8006 individuals are waiting to receive a transplant in the UK, and 3409 individuals have received one [2]. The demand is more than the supply of organs. Artificial organs are an engineering wonder that can be used to replace organ transplantation.

What are Artificial Organs?

Artificial organs are devices manufactured by humans that substitute failing organs. The devices are made synthetically or using a blend of synthetic material and living cells. Bioengineered tissues like liver scaffolds and artificial skin are typical examples, as are artificial hearts, kidneys, and lungs. Artificial Organs have the ability to address much of the problem involved in the study of organ transplantation

Advantages of Artificial Organs

One of the major challenges is a lack of donor organs. Artificial organs remove the issue of reliance on human donors. This helps in the decrease in waiting lists and organ shortage. Occasionally, there is a possibility of organ rejection; to avert this, transplants need immunosuppressive medications, which can cause infections or cancer. The likelihood of this is ruled out or diminished by artificial organs produced from the cells of the patient themselves. Organ transplantation has a limited shelf life and needs to be transplanted soon. But artificially produced organs can be preserved until required and thus can be manufactured in bulk. Moreover, human donor organs come with ethical issues of consent and organ trafficking. Artificial organs present a solution to this dilemma, minimizing the ethical issues regarding human donors.

Disadvantages of Artificial Organs

Artificial organs are highly expensive because of the numerous complications involved in mimicking the intricate functions of natural organs while producing them that renders them unaffordable for most individuals. Even though it reduces the risk of infections caused due to immunosuppressive drugs, artificial organs require continuous monitoring and maintenance to make sure they are working at full efficiency.  Replication of intricate organs like the liver and kidneys is still in research. Similar to organ transplantation, artificial organs also present ethical and regulatory challenges. There must be a balance between patient safety and experimental progress. Hence testing artificial organs involves a long approval process for clinical applications.

Conclusion

Artificial organs are the future of organ transplantation and a possible cure for the organ shortage crisis. Nevertheless, there are various challenges that have to be overcome, including cost, technical challenges and ethical legislation. Organ transplantation cannot yet completely be replaced with artificial organs but they do hold promise for an era when life-saving treatments will be more universally available and feasible.

References

[1] Saidi, R.F. and S K Hejazii Kenari (2014). Challenges of Organ Shortage for Transplantation: Solutions and Opportunities. International Journal of Organ Transplantation Medicine, [online] 5(3), p.87. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4149736/.

[2] NHS (2023). Statistics about organ donation. [online] NHS Organ Donation. Available at: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/helping-you-to-decide/about-organ-donation/statistics-about-organ-donation/.

‌[3]https://www.biospace.com/mark-terry (2018). Artificial Organs for Biopharma Research and More. [online] BioSpace. Available at: https://www.biospace.com/artificial-organs-for-biopharma-research-and-more.

‌[4] Wood, I. (2023). 3D bioprinting artificial organs could become quicker and easier. [online] Drug Target Review. Available at: https://www.drugtargetreview.com/news/110266/3d-bioprinting-artificial-organs-could-become-quicker-and-easier/.

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