Gerrymandering Effects On Organ Donation

INTRODUCTION
For years, people have debated how unjustly organ transplantation is distributed according to geographical divisions. What is more, these divisions, which are the product of the political tactic to manipulate regions, gerrymandering, have increased the discrepancies in the number of people in need of viable organs to survive compared to the amount available. The United Network for Organ Sharing, which is in charge of the distribution of organs in the United States, ranks patients in specific regions in each state based on the severity of their disease and their need for the organ. This process has become incredibly controversial, seeing as those who are not as sick receive donations compared to those who are in a worst medical
As seen in the article by the Associated Press, which challenges the redrawing of maps, many researchers in the medical field have tried to persuade UNOS to redraw liver-sharing regions, for these have come to dictate an individual’s chances of receiving a transplant. Accordingly, the blog, Science 2.0, which centers around conflicts facing medicine, examines the effects gerrymandering has on organ transplantations, as discussed in the article by the Associated Press. Specifically, this online-post introduces a remedy researchers from Johns Hopkins University have created, in which they “redistricted [regions] by analyzing supply, demand, and access factors” influencing liver transplantations. What is expected, is that through this method, researchers can predict a reduction in the geographical disparities present in the
Heidi Ledford, a journalist, who works for the International Weekly Journal of Science, examines the increasing attributes of the versatility of 3D printing in the creation of artificial organs. Specifically, the author proclaims that the field of bioengineering is looking into the toxic levels present in this procedure in the hopes of creating cells to facilitate the creation of tissues. Speaking of, a biomedical researcher at North Carolina State University, has managed to “substituted riboflavin—or vitamin B12—for the toxic polymer” involved in bioprinting. This has led many scientists to believe the technology of artificial tissues, including such as livers, can be created with the use of this technique. What is more, this new approach serves as an alternative to minimize cost and exclude the participation of animals in this new discovery because it “allows researchers to test immediately on human cells.” Additionally, this newly found method benefits those not living in certain geographical areas where the percentage of liver transplantation is