This is a major break through. Imagine if you will the replacemnt of deffective body parts grown from your own stem cells...hearts, lungs, legs, joints etc...Read the story here: British doctors help perform world's first transplant of a whole organ grown in lab

Really interesting mensa, thanks. I'm glad that she could get back to her children in good health.
AND -
I am thinking that if people are not knowledgeable and empowered to look after themselves properly (and it is made sure that most of us are not) then a lot of times life extending procedures will only cause more pain. Also with an aging population unable to work or even to look after themselves at times, it causes stress on medical care (facilities, staff) and tax payers. So if this kind of opperation becomes commonplace...you can imagine the problems that will ensue.

I can only think of the benifits Juno, replacing one pancreas would relieve the National Health Service from footing the bill for my insulin, times that by the millions who are daily injecting, this saving alone would free up the economy. Maybe put some drugs company folks out of work, but I know which I'd rather have.

Of-course thelma, agreed. EVERYONE should have the medical care that they require. I want everyone to live as healthy and long as possible...hence my concern about the fact that we are generally NOT healthy. I just think that some of this medical technology should not, on a large scale, precede our understanding and ability to look after ourselves. It's kind of a "cart before the horse" sort of thing.

Oh, on the same page as the article mensa posted about was this line, "Brothel offers free entry to men who have its name tattooed on their arm"...I didn't read more about it, but thought that the idea was um, somewhere betwwen funny and tragic. Just wanted to share.

Juno54 wrote:

Of-course thelma, agreed. EVERYONE should have the medical care that they require. I want everyone to live as healthy and long as possible...hence my concern about the fact that we are generally NOT healthy. I just think that some of this medical technology should not, on a large scale, precede our understanding and ability to look after ourselves. It's kind of a "cart before the horse" sort of thing.

Unfortunately we are not always in control of our health. Problems which are on the rise today were unheard of 50 or so years ago. While technology has made life somewhat easier, there has been a price to pay. Many ingredients we ingest daily are slowly manipulating our health...mental, spiritual and physical. Not only that, much of what is in every day products, the air, immediate environment etc are contributing factors to unhealthy bodies. I like to think people generally take care of their health but as stated, other mitigating factors come into play. Of course doctors, government and such are all too eager to point the blame at individuals instead of at the real culprits, those who manufacture these "products" knowing full well the adverse effects. All one needs is to be born with a predisposition to certain diseases and along comes a manmade induced trigger then BAM!

Putting the cart before the horse, as stated, therefore is putting the blame on the victims.....Flu shots, Fluoride, water tainted with over 70 known cancer causing agents, additives in foods, GM crops and a whole host of many more etc.; No one truly knows the long term effects/damage these sort of things cause. As I am found of saying: Anything we ingest affects us not only on the physical level but also serves to weaken/manipulate our DNA thereby affecting the stasis of the body of which it works so hard to maintain.

EXACTLY, mensa!! I don't think that people are stupid or don't care, they are doing the best they can to their understanding. This is why I used terms like knowledge & empowerment. I thought if I went into all of the things you have (bravo, btw) that it would be off-topic. But I guess not. I touched on all of this by saying, "and it is made sure that most of us are not"...aware of how we are damaging ourselves everyday.
My thought is that if things continue along this path, as life expectancy goes up quatily of health goes down. Doesn't sound real good to me. Lets get all of the gits to stop the propaganda and poisoning...get HEALTHY, so we can extend happy, healthy lives instead of ignorance and illness.
Obviously I would not deny those who really need that kind of medical intervention. But remember that plascic surgery began with repairing birth dfects and helping accident victims...now there are "day clinics", it is quite cheap to have liposuction or whatever else you want.
Would this growing organs eventually cheapen life if applied on a wide scale, like plastic surgery?

Excellent point Juno54. I see where you're coming from. Thing is, I find it a good thing to be able to grow and transplant whole organs such as in the case of kidneys, lungs and such. Also it would possibly have implications for those who are born with deformities and such. Imagine: A newborn---deformed limbs----Hence the best time for such a transplant from it's own grown cells would be beneficial at that age.

Not only that: The danger of dying from hip replacements would decrease significantly. Disabilities could be all but wiped out thereby relieving the social security system of monetary payments as well as health payments-----Costs in medical care/hospitalization would also decrease with improved health. There are many beneficial results form this sort of procedure which far out way the negative in my opinion. Sure, it may become another cosmetic treatment for some but overall it would benefit those who are in serious need of such replacement organic features....

Again I understand the apprehension this sort of thing could eventually evolve into access only for those who are super rich but I think once all concerns are taken into context, appropriate regulations(?) could come into play(?) If not, then surely a service like this would only be accessible to the rich…..