The Bioengineered Kidney
The kidneys have many functions that enable us to continue living. One function involves the filtering of the blood to remove all the waste products (1). The waste products are removed in the urine, which is released by the urethra (1). The kidneys also are involved in keeping our electrolyte balance, controlling our blood pressure, and they promote the production of red blood cells (1). Once the kidneys start to malfunction and or fail completely, the patient might have to get a kidney transplant (1).
Like all other organ transplants, the kidney transplant might not be compatible with the new body. However, there has been a recent breakthrough in the development on a new kidney using one’s own cells to bioengineer a new kidney (2). The discovery was made by Dr. Ott, an MD at the MGH Center for Regenerative Medicine whom has also created bioartificial hearts, lungs, and livers (2). The bioengineered kidney was transplanted into a rat and immediately started functioning by producing urine (2). Although at the moment this bioengineered kidney is functioning, it still does not work as good as a regular kidney (2). However, Dr. Ott and his team are just beginning and they have plans to continue their project; next time using a pig’s kidney, which is more like that of a human (2).
I believe this new bioengineered kidney is only the beginning of a new era and will impact society in a positive way. If Dr. Ott and his team are able to successfully bioengineer a human kidney, many lives will be changed. People will no longer have to wait forever for a kidney transplant. Also, the probability that the kidney will be rejected by the patient will decrease dramatically since the kidney will be specifically bioengineered from his or her own cells.
1). Wedro, Benjamin. “Kidney Failure.” MedicineNet.com. (2013): n. page. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.
2.) Massachusetts General Hospital. “Implantable, bioengineered rat kidney: Transplanted organ produces urine, but further refinement is needed.” ScienceDaily, 14 Apr. 2013. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.