Editorial

New health technology

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How it can help save lives

New innovations in health are constantly occurring, and typically, they are met with some backlash. This is because society is never sure if these innovations will bring about more harm than good. Although, in the past, people have suffered from flawed medical practices, advances in healthcare has generally led to more good than bad.

Recently, there has been a new discovery that, if approved by the FDA, will increase the number of heart transplants possible. According to USA today, this invention is a “sterile chamber with oxygen, blood and nutrient supplies that keeps a heart pumping outside the body until it’s ready for transplant.” The same article also states that this development could increase the number of successful heart transplants from 15 to 30 percent.

As expected with new technology, the innovation is prompting debate about whether or not it should be introduced. The two main concerns for those in opposition about the introduction of the new piece of technology are cost and “ethical questions about when patients should be declared dead.”

Despite criticisms we The Threefold Advocate support this new piece of technology for a few reasons.

According to Newser, the chamber is expected to cost $250,000. However, the easiest way to lower the cost would be to allow its use. The price will eventually decrease as the device is improved and made more accessible. Over time, people will witness its effectiveness and they will improve on the machine and find ways to make it cheaper.

The second issue is more important. This machine will allow doctors to revive hearts. This brings up the question of whether or not the deceased is really deceased. Because of the sensitivity of this issue, we The Threefold believe that the family of the deceased should be allowed to decide.   However, if the family does not want to do this and wants to donate the heart, they should be able to choose that option.

We The Threefold urge people to consider the arguments put forth. If approved by the FDA, this device can help save lives.

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