Week 4 Blog Analysis

Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
Course
Date
Week 4 Blog Analysis
Benefits
Monica Dybuncio’s article “Cancer Patient Receives Stem Cell-Made Windpipe First in the U.S” highlights some of the benefits of using regenerative stem cell technology to grow human organs. One of the benefits is that the technology utilizes the patient’s stem cells that have been harvested from his bone marrow. Thus, the process is inexpensive in such a way that the patient does not have to rely on other people to donate any required organ. In this case, the required organ could not be sourced from donors due to the specify the organ required. The second benefit is that the time required to “grow” an organ is short compared to the waiting period for organ donation which can go for years. The third benefit is that since the organ is “grown” from the patient’s cells, the patient suffers a minimal risk of the body’s cells rejecting the new organ. Thus, the recovery process is less rigorous reducing the chances of the patient acquiring after transplant disorders. Furthermore, organs grown in the lab can offer a solution to various diseases that cause organ failure. Patients with such diseases can have their failing organs easily replaced with new and functioning organs. Therefore, diseases such as cancer can be combated by full replacement of the affected organs.
Dangers
According to Dybuncio’s (Np) article, the surgeons have not yet had any current risks arising from the transplantation of the windpipe.

However, they stipulate that only time will show the patient’s body reacts to the artificial material used to regenerate the trachea. From a reader’s standpoint, a few dangers may arise from the transplantation of the trachea. The patient body may not entirely be accustomed to the “new” organ and may reject it as a foreign body. Organ rejection could cause other severe disorders that may lead to the demise of the patient. On the other hand, since it is untested technology, it may not be evident which adverse effects harvesting of stem cells has on the donor’s body. Moreover, it may result in situations where people may have their stem cells harvested for commercialization of organ replacement.
Ethical Repercussions
One of the main ethical issues that may arise from Monica’s (Np) article is the fact that the doctors may be accused of playing “God.” People from various religions may view this as an act where the doctors can recreate any organ which may amount to the creation of entirely functioning humans. Such may be against some of their beliefs. Secondly, due to the high cost of regenerating organs and research, some of the people may see the act as a business for the highest bidder. Selling and buying of artificial organs may result to various ethical issues. Thirdly, in cases where the patient does not consent on the harvesting of stem or any other cells for organ growth or research, issues such as informed consent may arise. On the other hand, in cases with informed consent, problems of confidentiality may occur when the organ is donated or transplanted in another individual. Another issue that may arise is in a case where the patient may not be mentally and physically fit to make informed consent have their stem cells harvested for regeneration. Lack of proper permission from the donor or patient can lead to numerous lawsuits due to a breach of biomedical ethics and practice.

Work Cited
Dybuncio, Monica. “Cancer Patient Receives Stem Cell-Made Windpipe, First In U.S.” Cbsnews.Com, 2012, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cancer-patient-receives-stem-cell-made-windpipe-first-in-us/.