Transplants and human cell cloning in the 21st century

Body organ and cell transplants have become an undisputed in the treatment of many diseases. At present no one questions the usefulness of a lung, kidney or bone marrow transplant when there is no other alternative solution. However, albeit we dealing with a well established procedure, issues such as the age limit for transplants, the management of waiting lists, or the efect of transplants on the quality of life of the patients are some of the reflections that do provoke controversy in society.

This book talks about the discussion surrounding the different dimensions of trasplanting body parts, it provides the view of outstanding specialists in the field of kidney, liver, heart, lung or pancreas transplants, who evaluate the current situation and its impact upon the quality of life. It also analyses the so-called Spanish model used to obtain body organs and the possibilities for improving it. Within this framework it also takes into consideration the contribution to transplants of live donors, who are an alternative to the lack of body organs and the cost-effective studies of these procedures.

Another field covered is that of cell transplants. As well as the well-established bone marrow transplant, the book also assesses the possibilities of nerve cell transplants for the treatment of Parkinsons’s disease or pancreatic islet cells for diabetes patients. The biomedical examination of transplants is complemented by legal and bio-ethical views provided by well-known experts.