The US is making the first few surgeries for penis transplants. Johns Hopkins will be performing the first operations on wounded soldiers and war veterans. The first operation could take place in as early as a few months from now.
More than 1,000 Soldiers Have Suffered Genital Wounds in Iraq or Afghanistan. They need Penis Transplants.
There have only been two reported penis transplants, and one of them was successful. This served as an experimental stage, and Johns Hopkins is now finding possible candidates. The process involves taking the penis from a deceased donor will be attached to the patient.
The surgery does not guarantee that the transplanted genitals will be sexually functional, or if they will be able to bear children. The surgery will require patients to take anti-rejection medication for the rest of their lives. There is also risk for bleeding, infection and psychological effects.
The Goal is for Injured Vets to Be Able to Father Children
In the initial stages, the transplants will be viable for veterans injured in combat missions. The surgery will take 12 hours, and cost between $200,000 and $400,000. The first surgery is paid for. If they do well, the penis transplant may become a standard treatment.
The question is, just what kind of veterans would be able to afford penis transplants? The desire to boost the US’s natality rate is completely valid, but at this kind of cost it may be unfeasible to many veterans. Unless these surgeries are sponsored, it’s possible that many veterans won’t be able to take full advantage of this new breakthrough in science and medicine. If this does become a standardized treatment, though, we may see the day where any kind of genital-related disease is cured by a transplant. Advances in medicine have taken a very interesting turn, and it will continue to grow for the benefit of all of those in need.
