Stem cells grown into organ tissue

Every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list, according to UNOS.

Now, a new study in the journal Nature says for the first time, scientists have grown human embryonic stem cells to produce three-dimensional organ tissues that resembles the intestine.

Why is this significant?

Lead investigator James Wells, a developmental biologist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Ohio says now scientists can use the protocol to investigate the molecular basis of human intestinal development and disease, design drugs that get absorbed better, and grow tissue for transplantation therapies, according to Nature News.

According to Donate Life America, the demand for organ, eye and tissue donation still vastly exceeds the number of donors. An average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.

Unos, the United Network for Organ Sharing, says as of today, 110,082 candidates are on the waiting list for organs. So far this year, 21,648 people have received transplants from just 10,940 donors.

 

Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor. Check out the federal website, OrganDonor.gov

To reduce the risk of needing a transplant, Americans need to reduce the risk factors for chronic diseases, according to the  Centers for Disease Control.

Chronic diseases include obesity, heart disease, cancer, hypertension, kidney disease and diabetes.
They are the leading causes of death account for 70% of all fatalities in the U.S. 

As of December 13, approximately 1,609,091 people have died from chronic disease this year, says the CDC.

About 25 million Americans are now living with chronic diseases, says the CDC.

The American Heart Association says you can add years to your life with daily physical exercise, better nutrition, stress management, and quitting smoking.  To help kick the habit and live longer call 1-800-Try-to-Stop.