Cell, tissue, and organ transplantation from another species into humans is known as xenograft. Doctors have been searching for methods to save lives all along, and xenograft has shown to be one of the most reliable, particularly when it comes to organ replacement. Doctors started using xenografts in the medical sector, for example, xenogeneic heart transplantation, pancreatic or kidney tissue, to help treat the failed organ of the body. Xenograft formulation was put in place as a result of donor organs shortage. Human organ transplant supply and demand would be greatly bolstered if society adopted the usage of xenograft. Many issues, including organ rejection and disease transmission, are raised by xenograft use.
A xenograft is fraught with dangers, including the spread of infectious illnesses, organ rejection, and the emergence of a plague. Xenografts expose humans to pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungus that would otherwise be unaffected by them (Hoehn & Marieb, 2010). It may give people illnesses that are unique to animals since they are derived from the animals. If the xenograft is used in place of a human organ, it may not perform as expected or may be rejected. Given that humans and animals reside in different environments, it stands to reason that their organs would behave differently. Additionally, patients who receive high immunosuppressive doses of medication in the process of xenograft surgery are more likely to contract infections picked up in the operating room. Immune suppression occurs due to taking this medication, leaving the patient more susceptible to infection (Hoehn & Marieb, 2010). Xenograft has the potential to spread like a virus across the globe. There are concerns that the xenograft procedure could produce a new, deadly virus, ushering in the next global pandemic.
According to CMAJ’s current report, there has been a significant demand for organ donation in Spain, the USA, Canada, and Australia. Spain has the world’s highest donation rate, followed by the United States at 35 and 26 per million people, respectively (Caplan, 2016). Although certain states have higher rates, Canada has a rate of 15 per million people, comparable to Australia’s. An older population, longer life expectancy, and obesity-related organ failure are all factors leading to an increase in North American demand for organ transplants. For many years, the supply of human organs has remained static (Caplan, 2016). Scientists and physicians are working together to find innovative ways to boost organ supply. Unfortunately, not all tissues donated function efficiently, which contributes to the shortage. The conventional means of transportation and storage is one of them. When it comes to organ transplants, there is a very narrow window of opportunity. Mismatches between donors and receivers are another issue. As a result, there’s a push on to discover technological answers to the problem.
A concerted effort to raise public awareness regarding cadaver donation has yielded disappointing results. Kidney exchange programs that pair together interested donors with compatible recipients have made a dent in the scarcity. Ethical and legislative discussions surrounding cadaver donation have evolved from voluntary and charitable policy to a fluidity focused on modifying the ethical framework to accept more organ donations. Increasing the supply of organs may be as simple as creating marketplaces where individuals wanting to donate an organ following their death are compensated (Caplan, 2016). However, giving money to the living raises concerns that those willing to give organs may be denied life-saving medical treatment. Again, many religions prohibit markets or payments for body parts, living or dead.
In conclusion, the transplantation of human cells, tissues, or organs from a different species is known as xenograft. North American demand for organ transplants is rising as the population ages, life expectancy gets longer, and organ failure linked to obesity becomes more common. Organ exchange schemes have helped decrease shortages by matching interested donors with recipients. Xenograft saves lives by replacing failing organs in the body. Its drawback is that it suppresses the immune system, leaving the patient more susceptible to infection.
References
Caplan, A. (2016). Finding a Solution to the Organ Shortage.CMAJ, 188(16), 1182-1183. Web.
Hoehn, K., & Marieb, E. N. (2010). Human Anatomy & Physiology. San Francisco, CA: Benjamin Cummings.