Artificial Heart Devices Essay -- essays research papers

Artificial Heart Devices In its never ending pursuit of advancement, science has reached a crucial biotechnological plateau, the creation of artificial organs. Such a concept may seem easy to comprehend until one considers the vast knowledge required to provide a functional substitute for one of nature's creations. One then realizes the true immensity of this breakthrough. Since ancient times, humans have viewed the heart as more than just a physical part of the body. It has been thought the seat of the soul, the source of emotion, and the center of each individual's existence. For many years, doctors and researchers left the heart untouched because they thought it was too delicate, too crucial to withstand the rigors of surgery. However, the innate human desire to achieve brought about the invention of the artificial heart. The potential for such inventions are enormous. According to the American Heart Association, there are between 16,000 and 40,000 possible recipients of artificial heart devices under the age of sixty-five. If perfected, it would enable us to save thousands of human lives. In considering the full impact of artificial heart devices on society, we must not narrow our thinking to include only the beneficial possibilities. There exist moral, ethical, and economic factors that accompany these new innovations to humanity. Who will receive these brilliant inventions? Obviously not all of the patients will get transplants, so selection criteria must be established. The high price of artificial heart devices and their implantation will eliminate some candidates. Unfortunately, this is not fair. The rich, in essence, can buy life, whereas the poor are abandoned to die in a diseased state. A thorough analysis of the implications of the implantation of such devices reveals not only selection and economic consideration, but mortality and ethics as well. Many contest that it is simply wrong to tamper with the ways and creations of nature. By prolonging life through unnatural means were are defeating natures foremost tenet of the "survival of the fittest." We are preserving the weaker gene pools and contributing to the deterioration of the human species. These and other considerations play a vital role in determining the artificial transplants actual benefit to the contemporary world and the world of tomorrow. A... ...evices for the heart will definitely have a great impact on society. This can be classified in two major ways: financial problems and population problems. Of course, increased use of artificial heart devices in medicine is going to increase the financial burden on society. The potential gains will be substantial when the lives of many productive individuals can be saved. The extent of the financial burden depends largely upon the number of patients who benefit from the artificial valve, the availability of the device, and improvements in its efficiency and dependability. In the long run, worldwide utility of the artificial valve technology would increase the world population. Overpopulation is already the root of many of the world's crises. The many debates concerning artificial heart implantation as a medical technique each have their own significance, and each deserves thorough consideration. Before we rush headlong into complete employment of the devices in medicine, we must evaluate the moral, social, ethical, arguments. Hopefully we can reach a decision that blends all of the aforementioned considerations into a harmonious existence, working to the maximum benefit of society.