Medical science is on the verge of a monumental breakthrough, the ability to perform penis transplants.
The lab-grown penis: approaching a medical milestone
Atala hopes his technique will mitigate both immunological and psychological issues because his penises would be engineered using a patient’s own cells. “The phallus is actually much longer than you think,” he explains. “It goes all the way behind the pelvis, so no matter the extent of the damage, there is a high probability that there are salvageable cells.”
Peruvian-born Atala, a urological surgeon and professor of regenerative medicine, heads a 300-strong team at the institute. He corrects himself constantly, always going back to edit his speech, adding words such as “high probability“ or “in all likelihood” to be sure his sentences are word-perfect. Soft-spoken and mild-mannered, Atala is a trailblazer in the field and you can’t help but think that his measured speech is an attempt to provide a sure path for others to follow.
To some, engineering human organs sounds like science fiction, but for Atala it’s an absolute necessity. As we live longer (and thus our organs fail more) the shortage of organs for donation will only get worse. If he can work out how to generate the organs people need in a reliable and effective way, the technology can improve a lot of people’s lives. In 2006, Atala and his team announced the first successful bioengineered organ transplant, a bladder, which had been implanted into seven patients in 1999. Earlier this year he announced the successful follow-up of four women given bioengineered vaginas in 2005-2008. Despite these successes, he says, the penis is proving trickier.
The purpose of this medical research is focused on people with real and serious medical issues. There are various situations such as cancer and accidents in which penises become significantly damaged. The research also applies to the ability to regenerate other bodily organs. If sounds like something that will definitely open very useful possibilities for a range of medical problems. It could significantly reduce the demand for organ donors and eliminate the problems of transplant rejection.
However, this type of scientific advance opens the door to more cosmetic possibilities. There is already various forms of cosmetic surgery available that go well beyond the familiar face lift. Being able not just to get some nips and tucks, but to completely redo an entire part of your body gives new meaning to the selling of makeovers.
When I read this headline I was reminded of a shop in San Francisco's Castro district that used to specialize in the sale of designer dildos that replicated the member of famous male porn stars. This raises the possibility of having such a replica in your own flesh and blood.