The milestone of the first ever successful organ transplantation in the world was established by surgeon Dr. Joseph Murray in 1954. Such medical achievement led the world into a new era where organs can be used for people other than the host; not only did the accomplishment open up the possibilities for saving more lives, it also unlocked the secrets of human bodies’ immune system. Although the first organ transplantation successfully performed in the U.S. might have received different reactions among people and provoked discussions about its ethics, the result of this medical procedure was an incredible medical breakthrough in the history of both the U.S. and the world; it helped the nation by shaping its future, because not only did the success
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in 1950s, the success in transplantation emphasised on the development of the U.S. medical institutions’ technologies and physicians’ abilities. Before the triumph of the procedure on the twins, having on use another’s organ was just another fantasy story from science fiction novels, but the kidney transplantation in 1954 has proven otherwise and made the seemingly impossible event possible. The successful result demonstrated the achievable medical performance, served as a demonstration for future procedures, and extended the lives of millions of Americans and foreigners. “Today, roughly 17,000 Americans undergo kidney transplantation annually, according to statistics from the National Institutes of Health. Nearly all of them-better than 95 percent- survive the first year after surgery, and more than 80 percent are still alive five years later”(Harvard News). The organ transplantation brought countless medical benefit to the nation and its people. Many’s life were extended because of the procedure. Patients were able to continue their lives without having to die due to organ failures and they could continue to contribute to the society. The success rate of organ transplantation has been relatively high after the accomplishment made by Joseph Murray and his team in 1954. Without their efforts, the development of such useful techniques would not exist until many years or even decades later, and many people could have died in between those years, and those who are only brain dead would not be able to donate their organs and extend on others’ lives. Aside from the amount of people the procedure saves, transplantation itself is a “noble prize worth-winning” medical breakthrough. “At 11:15 am on Dec.23, their (Murray and his team) work not only gave Richard (patient) a new lease on life, it ushered in the era of organ transplantation, giving hope to thousands of patients each year whose
in 1950s, the success in transplantation emphasised on the development of the U.S. medical institutions’ technologies and physicians’ abilities. Before the triumph of the procedure on the twins, having on use another’s organ was just another fantasy story from science fiction novels, but the kidney transplantation in 1954 has proven otherwise and made the seemingly impossible event possible. The successful result demonstrated the achievable medical performance, served as a demonstration for future procedures, and extended the lives of millions of Americans and foreigners. “Today, roughly 17,000 Americans undergo kidney transplantation annually, according to statistics from the National Institutes of Health. Nearly all of them-better than 95 percent- survive the first year after surgery, and more than 80 percent are still alive five years later”(Harvard News). The organ transplantation brought countless medical benefit to the nation and its people. Many’s life were extended because of the procedure. Patients were able to continue their lives without having to die due to organ failures and they could continue to contribute to the society. The success rate of organ transplantation has been relatively high after the accomplishment made by Joseph Murray and his team in 1954. Without their efforts, the development of such useful techniques would not exist until many years or even decades later, and many people could have died in between those years, and those who are only brain dead would not be able to donate their organs and extend on others’ lives. Aside from the amount of people the procedure saves, transplantation itself is a “noble prize worth-winning” medical breakthrough. “At 11:15 am on Dec.23, their (Murray and his team) work not only gave Richard (patient) a new lease on life, it ushered in the era of organ transplantation, giving hope to thousands of patients each year whose