Tariq Nelson

This reminds me of the scene in Star Trek IV where Dr McCoy gave an old woman some pills and she grew a new kidney. From the UK Daily Mail

British scientists have grown the world’s first artificial liver from stem cells in a breakthrough that will one day provide entire organs for transplant.

The technique that created the ‘mini-liver’, currently the size of a one pence piece, will be developed to create a full-size functioning liver.

Described as a ‘Eureka moment’ by the Newcastle University researchers, the tissue was created from blood taken from babies’ umbilical cords just a few minutes after birth.

As it stands, the mini organ can be used to test new drugs, preventing disasters such as the recent ‘Elephant Man’ drug trial. Using lab-grown liver tissue would also reduce the number of animal experiments.

Within five years, pieces of artificial tissue could be used to repair livers damaged by injury, disease, alcohol abuse and paracetamol overdose.

And then, in just 15 years’ time, entire liver transplants could take place using organs grown in a lab.

[...] 

The researchers envisage sections of artificial liver being used to keep patients needing liver transplants alive - in much the same way as a dialysis machine is used to treat kidney failure.

This technique would take advantage of the liver’s remarkable ability to quickly regenerate itself.

The patient would be hooked up to an artificial liver which would take over all the functions usually carried out by their own liver.

With several ‘dialysis’ sessions a day over a period of several months, the patient’s own liver would be afforded enough resting time to regenerate and repair any damage.

Alternatively, vital months could be bought in search for a suitable donor for transplant.

It is hoped that within 15 years, it will be possible to create sections of liver suitable for transplant into the body of those whose livers have been damaged beyond repair.

In many cases, this would replace the need for an entire liver transplant. [MORE...]

The world is changing very fast. Prepare yourselves and (especially) your children for it.