Medical Technology: organ harvesting and Transplants
Medical Technology: organ harvesting and Transplants
Medical Technology: organ harvesting and Transplants
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Resources in <strong>Technology</strong><br />
Organ Harvesting <strong>and</strong> <strong>Transplants</strong><br />
Kimberly G. Baskette <strong>and</strong> John M. Ritz, DTE<br />
Like other technologies, medical<br />
technology has been changing<br />
human life.<br />
Humans <strong>and</strong> animals need healthy <strong>organ</strong>s to live. Due<br />
to medical conditions <strong>and</strong> accidents, some <strong>organ</strong>s fail<br />
to function properly. For these reasons, the medical<br />
community has experimented <strong>and</strong> can now perform<br />
successful <strong>organ</strong> transplants, allowing patients to continue<br />
to live their lives. Many countries have medical programs<br />
where individuals can donate their <strong>organ</strong>s <strong>and</strong> tissue<br />
(bones, tendons, skin, cornea, etc.) to assist those in need<br />
of transplants. These practices <strong>and</strong> medical miracles have<br />
become possible during the last decades.<br />
Almost anyone can sign up to become an <strong>organ</strong> donor, as<br />
no age limit exists. From newborns to senior citizens, the<br />
procurement of <strong>organ</strong>s has helped to save many lives. People<br />
under the age of 18, however, must have permission from a<br />
parent or guardian (Who Can Donate, http://<strong>organ</strong>donor.<br />
gov/donation/who_donate.htm). To become a donor, all<br />
an individual has to do is complete a Uniform Donor Card<br />
similar to the one shown in Figure 1 (often available as part<br />
5 • The <strong>Technology</strong> Teacher • April 2010
Change language