Bioengineered Urethras!

In the past few years, we have been witnessing an explosion of breakthroughs in the bioengineering field, namely the growth of bioartificial organs. We have read about artificially grown lungs, kidneys, livers, bladders, hearts (only non-human animal hearts have been successful so far) and now, urethras.
This article is important because it shows us the potential and power of future biotechnology. The list of bioartificial organs is growing, and it is just a matter of time before there are bioengineered organs more available and fully functioning.

In this lab experiment, scientists used the patient's own cells to grow the urethras. They lined these cells in a biodegradable mesh to give it the proper shape for the tube and then grew it in a moderated environment for one week. They were then introduced into the 5 boys who had suffered injury in accidents.

It can be said, without exaggeration, that these bioartificial organs saved the lives of these 5 boys, since the alternative "artificial graft that has up to a 50% chance of failure". 


I encourage you to read the article and to also think about what the future of health care will look like, as more and more bioartificial organs are being engineered.
The article is below:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12666171

-Taraz Nosrat