Scientists have successfully created human lungs inside the lab. Though it may take 12 more years before patients can use it, this sparked hope for those who need lung transplants.
Lung transplant is one of the several options for severe lung diseases which involve removal of the current lungs are replacing it with a healthier one from a dead person. This procedure is considered a last resort and usually given to those who might die in 1 or 2 years if their lungs are not replaced and with conditions in which medicines and breathing devices couldn't address.
In the United States, about 1,800 lung transplants were performed in 2010 and that was just half of the number who needs it. The waiting list varies per year as the numbers of donors are so little compared to the demand.
This new medical breakthrough will truly be good news for those in the waiting list which is currently at 1,600. It will also address the shortage in the lung transplant centers.
"It's so darn cool," said Joan Nichols, a researcher at the University of Texas Medical Branch, to CNN. "It's been science fiction and we're moving into science fact."
Researchers led by used the donated lungs of two children who died in an accident. The lungs were actually severely damaged but they still have some healthy tissues. The team took these tissues to get just the collagen and elastin. They also collected cells from the other lung and put everything on liquid container. In four weeks, they were surprised that a new, seemingly healthy lung appeared. They then repeated the experiment and yielded the same result. Now they have a pair of lungs.
The team plans to test the lungs on pigs first before trying it on humans. Aside from lungs, they are also creating other parts such as liver and tracheas in the same lab.
