Fresh data released by the Indian government has reignited concerns over gender inequality in India's organ transplant system. The figures show that women continue to donate organs in far greater numbers than men, but when it comes to receiving life-saving transplants, men account for the overwhelming majority of recipients.&nbsp;According to data from the Ministry of Health, women made up 68 per cent of all living organ donors in 2025. More than 11,300 women donated organs, compared with around 5,300 men. However, men received 78 per cent of all organ transplants, while women accounted for just 22 per cent of recipients.&nbsp;Government data shows that kidney transplants remained the most common organ transplant procedure in India last year, accounting for more than 62 per cent of all transplants. Liver transplants made up more than 20 per cent of the total in 2025.&nbsp;The disparity is particularly visible in living kidney donations. Women accounted for 71 per cent of living kidney donors, while men represented 77 per cent of transplant recipients.&nbsp;Health experts say kidney and liver donations in India often take place within families, with women frequently donating organs to husbands or other male relatives. According to experts, economic dependence, limited access to healthcare and family decision-making often prevent women from getting onto transplant waiting lists in time.&nbsp;Experts also point to deep-rooted social expectations and patriarchal norms that often prioritise the health and economic role of male family members. Studies further suggest that women are generally more willing to donate organs, a trend reinforced by socialisation and the normalisation of bodily sacrifice through experiences such as pregnancy.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strait-of-hormuz-deal-with-oman-being-finalised-iran-s-foreign-ministry-1785945741501">Strait of Hormuz deal with Oman being ‘finalised’: Iran’s foreign ministry</a>&nbsp;Medical experts say pregnancy-related immune sensitisation and differences in organ size can also reduce women's chances of finding compatible organs.&nbsp;The World Health Organisation and studies published in medical journals have also linked gender disparities in organ transplantation to lower referral rates for women, delayed diagnosis and financial barriers. Similar trends have been reported in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and the United States.&nbsp;India's National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation has issued an advisory calling for stronger oversight, improved training for transplant coordinators and regular monitoring of gender disparities in the transplant system. However, experts say the wider challenge remains whether these measures alone can close the gap or if broader changes in societal attitudes are also needed.

Indian government data shows women made up 68 per cent of living organ donors in 2025 but received only 22 per cent of organ transplants, highlighting persistent gender disparities in the country's transplant system.

Fresh data released by the Indian government has reignited concerns over gender inequality in India's organ transplant system. The figures show that women continue to donate organs in far greater numbers than men, but when it comes to receiving life-saving transplants, men account for the overwhelming majority of recipients. According to data from the Ministry of Health, women made up 68 per cent of all living organ donors in 2025. More than 11,300 women donated organs, compared with around 5,300 men. However, men received 78 per cent of all organ transplants, while women accounted for just 22 per cent of recipients. Government data shows that kidney transplants remained the most common organ transplant procedure in India last year, accounting for more than 62 per cent of all transplants. Liver transplants made up more than 20 per cent of the total in 2025. The disparity is particularly visible in living kidney donations. Women accounted for 71 per cent of living kidney donors, while men represented 77 per cent of transplant recipients. Health experts say kidney and liver donations in India often take place within families, with women frequently donating organs to husbands or other male relatives. According to experts, economic dependence, limited access to healthcare and family decision-making often prevent women from getting onto transplant waiting lists in time. Experts also point to deep-rooted social expectations and patriarchal norms that often prioritise the health and economic role of male family members. Studies further suggest that women are generally more willing to donate organs, a trend reinforced by socialisation and the normalisation of bodily sacrifice through experiences such as pregnancy. Also Read: Strait of Hormuz deal with Oman being ‘finalised’: Iran’s foreign ministry Medical experts say pregnancy-related immune sensitisation and differences in organ size can also reduce women's chances of finding compatible organs. The World Health Organisation and studies published in medical journals have also linked gender disparities in organ transplantation to lower referral rates for women, delayed diagnosis and financial barriers. Similar trends have been reported in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and the United States. India's National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation has issued an advisory calling for stronger oversight, improved training for transplant coordinators and regular monitoring of gender disparities in the transplant system. However, experts say the wider challenge remains whether these measures alone can close the gap or if broader changes in societal attitudes are also needed.

Indian government data shows women made up 68 per cent of living organ donors in 2025 but received only 22 per cent of organ transplants, highlighting persistent gender disparities in the country's transplant system.

Gender gap persists in India's organ transplants

Mumbai: A Pune marathon runner’s final act of generosity has given four people a second chance at life after his family agreed to donate his organs following his death from injuries sustained in a road accident.&nbsp;Uday Birmal, 37, was on his routine morning training run on July 19 when he was allegedly hit by an autorickshaw in Pune. He suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, where he underwent intensive treatment. Doctors later declared him brain dead after all medical interventions failed to reverse the damage.&nbsp;In the midst of their grief, Birmal’s family consented to organ donation, allowing doctors to retrieve multiple organs for patients awaiting life-saving transplants.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/215-academics-pen-open-letter-slam-priyanka-gandhi-s-cow-urine-expert-remark-on-iit-madras-director-v-kamakoti-1785420621340">215 academics pen open letter, slam Priyanka Gandhi’s ‘cow urine expert’ remark on IIT Madras director V Kamakoti</a>&nbsp;According to the hospital, Birmal’s heart was transported to a hospital in Mumbai through a specially coordinated green corridor created by Pune Police, ensuring the organ reached the recipient within the narrow transplant window. His liver and one kidney were transplanted at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, while the second kidney was allocated to another hospital in Pune under Maharashtra’s organ-sharing network.&nbsp;Doctors involved in the transplants described the family’s decision as an extraordinary act of compassion, saying one deceased donor has the potential to save several lives through organ donation. They also acknowledged the coordinated efforts of transplant teams, emergency responders and traffic police, whose swift action helped ensure the organs reached recipients on time.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/woman-poisons-husband-buries-body-in-12ft-deep-pit-in-gujarat-factory-tells-kin-he-went-to-work-in-australia-1785415792507">Woman poisons husband, buries body in 12ft deep pit in Gujarat factory, tells kin he went to work in Australia</a>&nbsp;Birmal was known in Pune’s running community for his passion for long-distance running and regular participation in marathon events. His death has prompted tributes from fellow runners and members of the city’s fitness community, who remembered him as a dedicated athlete and an inspiration to many.&nbsp;India continues to face a significant shortage of organ donors despite rising awareness about organ donation. According to the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), thousands of patients remain on transplant waiting lists every year, highlighting the critical role of deceased organ donation.

Uday Birmal’s heart was transported to a hospital in Mumbai through a specially coordinated green corridor, while his liver and one kidney were transplanted at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital. The marathoner’s second kidney was allocated to another hospital in Pune.

Mumbai: A Pune marathon runner’s final act of generosity has given four people a second chance at life after his family agreed to donate his organs following his death from injuries sustained in a road accident. Uday Birmal, 37, was on his routine morning training run on July 19 when he was allegedly hit by an autorickshaw in Pune. He suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, where he underwent intensive treatment. Doctors later declared him brain dead after all medical interventions failed to reverse the damage. In the midst of their grief, Birmal’s family consented to organ donation, allowing doctors to retrieve multiple organs for patients awaiting life-saving transplants. Also Read: 215 academics pen open letter, slam Priyanka Gandhi’s ‘cow urine expert’ remark on IIT Madras director V Kamakoti According to the hospital, Birmal’s heart was transported to a hospital in Mumbai through a specially coordinated green corridor created by Pune Police, ensuring the organ reached the recipient within the narrow transplant window. His liver and one kidney were transplanted at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, while the second kidney was allocated to another hospital in Pune under Maharashtra’s organ-sharing network. Doctors involved in the transplants described the family’s decision as an extraordinary act of compassion, saying one deceased donor has the potential to save several lives through organ donation. They also acknowledged the coordinated efforts of transplant teams, emergency responders and traffic police, whose swift action helped ensure the organs reached recipients on time. Also Read: Woman poisons husband, buries body in 12ft deep pit in Gujarat factory, tells kin he went to work in Australia Birmal was known in Pune’s running community for his passion for long-distance running and regular participation in marathon events. His death has prompted tributes from fellow runners and members of the city’s fitness community, who remembered him as a dedicated athlete and an inspiration to many. India continues to face a significant shortage of organ donors despite rising awareness about organ donation. According to the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), thousands of patients remain on transplant waiting lists every year, highlighting the critical role of deceased organ donation.

Uday Birmal’s heart was transported to a hospital in Mumbai through a specially coordinated green corridor, while his liver and one kidney were transplanted at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital. The marathoner’s second kidney was allocated to another hospital in Pune.

Pune marathon runner’s organs save four lives after fatal road crash

Scientists are close to a major breakthrough in organ transplantation. Researchers from Canada and China collaborated to develop the Universal Kideny, which is theoretically compatible with any blood type. The test organ survived and functioned properly in the body of a brain-dead person.They achieved this by converting a type A kidney to a type O kidney. They employed enzymes to remove the sugar molecules or antigens that define a type of Kidney. This essentially removed the markers that trigger an immune response for different blood groups. However, the modification did not entirely give stable results. As the Type A antigen began to reappear by the third day, it triggered an immune response. Though the reaction was contained as it was less severe, and there were signs that the body was trying to adjust the kidneys. &nbsp;"It's like removing the red paint from a car and uncovering the neutral primer…Once that's done, the immune system no longer sees the organ as foreign," said biochemist Stephen Withers, from the University of British Columbia in Canada.However, there remain a lot of challenges before a human trial could be commenced. As the study was published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, the Antigen began to reappear in the host body. For a clinical study, it has to stay stable long-term. Similarly, other parts of the immune system, like T cells and antigens, might also attack the graft. The study does not specify if there were any side effects of the enzyme. However, if the theoretical success can be implemented clinically, it might reduce donor shortages, wait time and perhaps the inequality in organ transplantation.

In a groundbreaking medical advance, researchers have created a universal kidney that can match any blood type. Using special enzymes to remove antigens, this innovation could revolutionise organ transplants and reduce global kidney donor shortages.

Scientists are close to a major breakthrough in organ transplantation. Researchers from Canada and China collaborated to develop the Universal Kideny, which is theoretically compatible with any blood type. The test organ survived and functioned properly in the body of a brain-dead person. They achieved this by converting a type A kidney to a type O kidney. They employed enzymes to remove the sugar molecules or antigens that define a type of Kidney. This essentially removed the markers that trigger an immune response for different blood groups. However, the modification did not entirely give stable results. As the Type A antigen began to reappear by the third day, it triggered an immune response. Though the reaction was contained as it was less severe, and there were signs that the body was trying to adjust the kidneys. "It's like removing the red paint from a car and uncovering the neutral primer…Once that's done, the immune system no longer sees the organ as foreign," said biochemist Stephen Withers, from the University of British Columbia in Canada. However, there remain a lot of challenges before a human trial could be commenced. As the study was published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, the Antigen began to reappear in the host body. For a clinical study, it has to stay stable long-term. Similarly, other parts of the immune system, like T cells and antigens, might also attack the graft. The study does not specify if there were any side effects of the enzyme. However, if the theoretical success can be implemented clinically, it might reduce donor shortages, wait time and perhaps the inequality in organ transplantation.

In a groundbreaking medical advance, researchers have created a universal kidney that can match any blood type. Using special enzymes to remove antigens, this innovation could revolutionise organ transplants and reduce global kidney donor shortages.

Scientists just created a 'Universal' Kidney: One organ fits every blood type

Since the first human heart transplants in 1967, patients have reported strange and inexplicable personality changes. Some claim that after surgery, they feel more like their donor and less like themselves.&nbsp;

For example, a transplant recipient in the 1990s told scientists in a paper published in 2000 that after receiving the heart of a young male musician, she had an unexpected love for music.

According to a recent University of Colorado (CU) study, such profound alterations in personality don't seem to be caused only by heart transplants.

Should these symptoms be closely associated with organ transplants, maybe this indicates that our entire body, not just one or two organs, contains our "sense of self."

The study published in Transplantology collected the data through a questionnaire.

No matter which organ they got, over 90% of transplant patients, 23 heart recipients, and 24 other recipients, experienced personality changes following surgery, according to an online survey.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/over-30-of-covaxin-takers-experienced-nervous-system-disorders-menstrual-abnormalities-suggests-study-722361">Over 30% of Covaxin takers experienced nervous system disorders, menstrual abnormalities, suggests study</a>

The majority of patients in the research reported going through four or more personality changes, with the majority of these changes being related to memories, temperament, emotions, eating habits, identity, or religious or spiritual views.

Medical researcher Brian Carter and his colleagues at CU come to the conclusion that "heart transplant recipients may not be unique in their experience of personality changes following transplantation," despite the fact that the study is too small to be statistically significant.

Rather, they contend that more study is necessary since "such changes may occur following the transplantation of any organ."

The CU study is among the first to measure the alterations in personality following a range of organ transplants.

Previous research has only tended to focus on heart transplants, as these are regarded to be the most severe and long-lasting.

Since the first human heart transplants in 1967, patients have reported strange and inexplicable personality changes. Some claim that after surgery, they feel more like their donor and less like themselves.

Since the first human heart transplants in 1967, patients have reported strange and inexplicable personality changes. Some claim that after surgery, they feel more like their donor and less like themselves. For example, a transplant recipient in the 1990s told scientists in a paper published in 2000 that after receiving the heart of a young male musician, she had an unexpected love for music. According to a recent University of Colorado (CU) study, such profound alterations in personality don't seem to be caused only by heart transplants. Should these symptoms be closely associated with organ transplants, maybe this indicates that our entire body, not just one or two organs, contains our "sense of self." The study published in Transplantology collected the data through a questionnaire. No matter which organ they got, over 90% of transplant patients, 23 heart recipients, and 24 other recipients, experienced personality changes following surgery, according to an online survey. Also read: Over 30% of Covaxin takers experienced nervous system disorders, menstrual abnormalities, suggests study The majority of patients in the research reported going through four or more personality changes, with the majority of these changes being related to memories, temperament, emotions, eating habits, identity, or religious or spiritual views. Medical researcher Brian Carter and his colleagues at CU come to the conclusion that "heart transplant recipients may not be unique in their experience of personality changes following transplantation," despite the fact that the study is too small to be statistically significant. Rather, they contend that more study is necessary since "such changes may occur following the transplantation of any organ." The CU study is among the first to measure the alterations in personality following a range of organ transplants. Previous research has only tended to focus on heart transplants, as these are regarded to be the most severe and long-lasting.

Organ transplants can lead to profound personality changes, suggests study

In a new study, it has been noted that organ transplants, which save people's lives, may also be altering their personalities in unexpected ways.

The paper titled “Personality Changes Associated with Organ Transplants”, which was published in the medical journal Transplantology in January discussed how various transplant recipients have seen major and long-lasting changes in their actions, thoughts and behaviour.

The investigation was carried out by researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the United States.&nbsp;

They looked into the fact that there were significant changes in the personality of a patient after an organ transplant.&nbsp;

The researchers also observed the types of changes recipients of heart transplants went through and if they were different from recipients of other organs.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-200-women-and-several-men-allege-doctor-of-sexual-abuse-unnecessary-examinations-in-lawsuit-709484">Over 200 women, several men accuse doctor in Boston of sexual abuse, unnecessary examinations in lawsuit</a>

<h2>How was the study&nbsp;carried out and what was found?</h2>

The study was carried out with 47 participants who filled out an online survey. Among the 47 people, 23 were heart recipients and 24 others were organ recipients.&nbsp;

In the study,&nbsp;89 per cent of all transplant recipients said that they went through personality changes after their transplant surgery.&nbsp;

They reported changes in preferences for food, music, art, professional pursuits, intimacy and leisure activities. Some people also wrote about experiencing “new” memories, enhanced cognitive capabilities, heightened social and sexual adaptability and more inclination towards spiritual or religious events.

These were the types of changes which were described as either neutral or beneficial, however, there were also reports of distressing changes like anxiety, delirium, depression, sexual dysfunction and psychosis.

Watch:&nbsp;South Korean President Yoon calls doctors for constructive dialogue

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Many recipients also shared having “memories” which were not related to their personal experiences. Such memories generally involve sensory perceptions which were apparently related to their organ donor.

An example was highlighted by the paper: “A 56-year-old college professor received the heart of a 34-year-old police officer who tragically lost his life after he was fatally shot in the face."

“Following the transplant, the recipient reported a peculiar experience, stating, ‘A few weeks after I got my heart, I began to have dreams. I would see a flash of light right in my face, and my face gets real, real hot. It actually burns'," the paper read.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a new study, it has been noted that organ transplants, which save people's lives, may also be altering their personalities in unexpected ways. The paper titled “Personality Changes Associated with Organ Transplants”, which was published in the medical journal Transplantology in January discussed how various transplant recipients have seen major and long-lasting changes in their actions, thoughts and behaviour.

In a new study, it has been noted that organ transplants, which save people's lives, may also be altering their personalities in unexpected ways. The paper titled “Personality Changes Associated with Organ Transplants”, which was published in the medical journal Transplantology in January discussed how various transplant recipients have seen major and long-lasting changes in their actions, thoughts and behaviour. The investigation was carried out by researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in the United States. They looked into the fact that there were significant changes in the personality of a patient after an organ transplant. The researchers also observed the types of changes recipients of heart transplants went through and if they were different from recipients of other organs. Also Read: Over 200 women, several men accuse doctor in Boston of sexual abuse, unnecessary examinations in lawsuit How was the study carried out and what was found? The study was carried out with 47 participants who filled out an online survey. Among the 47 people, 23 were heart recipients and 24 others were organ recipients. In the study, 89 per cent of all transplant recipients said that they went through personality changes after their transplant surgery. They reported changes in preferences for food, music, art, professional pursuits, intimacy and leisure activities. Some people also wrote about experiencing “new” memories, enhanced cognitive capabilities, heightened social and sexual adaptability and more inclination towards spiritual or religious events. These were the types of changes which were described as either neutral or beneficial, however, there were also reports of distressing changes like anxiety, delirium, depression, sexual dysfunction and psychosis. Watch: South Korean President Yoon calls doctors for constructive dialogue Many recipients also shared having “memories” which were not related to their personal experiences. Such memories generally involve sensory perceptions which were apparently related to their organ donor. An example was highlighted by the paper: “A 56-year-old college professor received the heart of a 34-year-old police officer who tragically lost his life after he was fatally shot in the face." “Following the transplant, the recipient reported a peculiar experience, stating, ‘A few weeks after I got my heart, I began to have dreams. I would see a flash of light right in my face, and my face gets real, real hot. It actually burns'," the paper read. (With inputs from agencies)

Humans may witness personality change after organ transplant: Study

The family of a CRPF soldier from Odisha's Khurda district made a life-saving decision on Monday. Following his brain death, they chose to donate his heart and liver, to two individuals in need of organ transplants.

The soldier, Krushna Chandra Mahabhoi, served as a havildar in CRPF in Jammu and Kashmir. He was battling a chronic kidney disease and undergoing dialysis for two years.

Mahabhoi was declared brain-dead at a private hospital on March 20. &nbsp;Dr Alisha Choudhury of the private hospital said, “After his brain death, we sought permission from the family members for organ donation and they agreed. Subsequently, arrangements were made for that.”

The soldier's heart and liver were transported to Kolkata and Mumbai, respectively, offering a new lease of life to two individuals in critical need. Initially, the family was hesitant about doctors taking out Krushna Chandra Mahabhoi's organs, but his wife helped change the family's mind.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-odisha-man-brain-dead-gives-fresh-leash-of-life-to-four-people-after-organ-donation-608657">India: Odisha man, brain dead, gives fresh lease of life to four people after organ donation</a>

Satyabrata Mahabhoi, the deceased soldier's son, said, "My father devoted his life to the nation. Now, if two people can survive with my father's organs, that will also be a service." Mahabhoi's heart will beat anew in Kolkata, while his liver will help survive an individual in Mumbai.

According to an article published in the Lancet journal, India sees 17,000–18,000 solid organ transplants performed every year—the most in the world after the US and China.

(With inputs from agencies)

The family of a CRPF soldier from Odisha's Khurda district made a life-saving decision on Monday. Following his brain death, they chose to donate his heart and liver, to two individuals in need of organ transplants.

The family of a CRPF soldier from Odisha's Khurda district made a life-saving decision on Monday. Following his brain death, they chose to donate his heart and liver, to two individuals in need of organ transplants. The soldier, Krushna Chandra Mahabhoi, served as a havildar in CRPF in Jammu and Kashmir. He was battling a chronic kidney disease and undergoing dialysis for two years. Mahabhoi was declared brain-dead at a private hospital on March 20. Dr Alisha Choudhury of the private hospital said, “After his brain death, we sought permission from the family members for organ donation and they agreed. Subsequently, arrangements were made for that.” The soldier's heart and liver were transported to Kolkata and Mumbai, respectively, offering a new lease of life to two individuals in critical need. Initially, the family was hesitant about doctors taking out Krushna Chandra Mahabhoi's organs, but his wife helped change the family's mind. Also read | India: Odisha man, brain dead, gives fresh lease of life to four people after organ donation Satyabrata Mahabhoi, the deceased soldier's son, said, "My father devoted his life to the nation. Now, if two people can survive with my father's organs, that will also be a service." Mahabhoi's heart will beat anew in Kolkata, while his liver will help survive an individual in Mumbai. According to an article published in the Lancet journal, India sees 17,000–18,000 solid organ transplants performed every year—the most in the world after the US and China. (With inputs from agencies)

CRPF soldier saves two lives with heart and liver donation after brain death

The Biden administration in the United States is proposing to overhaul the country's organ transplant system. This includes breaking up the dominance of United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), a Virginia-headquartered non-profit that has virtually run the organ transplant system in the country since 1986.

<h2>U.S. organ transplant system overhaul: What would it entail?</h2>

The proposal for overhaul entails breaking up responsibility for some functions performed by UNOS, cited as the non-profit manager of the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/explainer-xenotransplantation-is-animal-to-human-organ-transplant-likely-to-succeed-in-the-near-future-461144">Explainer: Xenotransplantation - Will animal-to-human organ transplant succeed in the near future?</a>

The U.S. Federal Health Resources and Service Administration plans to invite other organisations to take over some organ transplant system's functions. This would enable the creation of the first competitive environment in the U.S. organ transplant system.&nbsp;

<h2>U.S. organ transplant system overhaul: What does it mean?</h2>

The organ transplant system in the United States has long been criticised as 'inadequate'. Nearly 104,000 people are on the waiting lists for organs, most for kidneys, Washington Post reported.

At least 22 people die in the United States each day while on the waiting lists for organs.&nbsp;

<h2>Shortcomings in the U.S. organ transplant system</h2>

Meanwhile, too many organs are reportedly discarded, damaged in transit or simply not collected by the system operated by the United Network for Organ sharing.&nbsp;

In August, the Senate Finance Committee, which has been investigating the transplant system for three years, reported that 70 people died and 249 developed diseases over a seven-year period after mistakes in the screening of transplanted organs, according to Washington Post.

ALSO WATCH | The new age of organ transplantation | WION Wideangle

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The Biden administration has committed $67 million in its proposed fiscal 2024 budget for "modernisation" of the transplant network — nearly double the amount in the current budget. 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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The Biden administration in the United States is proposing to overhaul the country's organ transplant system. This includes breaking up the dominance of United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), a Virginia-headquartered non-profit that has virtually run the organ transplant system in the country since 1986.

The Biden administration in the United States is proposing to overhaul the country's organ transplant system. This includes breaking up the dominance of United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), a Virginia-headquartered non-profit that has virtually run the organ transplant system in the country since 1986. U.S. organ transplant system overhaul: What would it entail? The proposal for overhaul entails breaking up responsibility for some functions performed by UNOS, cited as the non-profit manager of the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. ALSO READ | Explainer: Xenotransplantation - Will animal-to-human organ transplant succeed in the near future? The U.S. Federal Health Resources and Service Administration plans to invite other organisations to take over some organ transplant system's functions. This would enable the creation of the first competitive environment in the U.S. organ transplant system. U.S. organ transplant system overhaul: What does it mean? The organ transplant system in the United States has long been criticised as 'inadequate'. Nearly 104,000 people are on the waiting lists for organs, most for kidneys, Washington Post reported. At least 22 people die in the United States each day while on the waiting lists for organs. Shortcomings in the U.S. organ transplant system Meanwhile, too many organs are reportedly discarded, damaged in transit or simply not collected by the system operated by the United Network for Organ sharing. In August, the Senate Finance Committee, which has been investigating the transplant system for three years, reported that 70 people died and 249 developed diseases over a seven-year period after mistakes in the screening of transplanted organs, according to Washington Post. ALSO WATCH | The new age of organ transplantation | WION Wideangle × The Biden administration has committed $67 million in its proposed fiscal 2024 budget for "modernisation" of the transplant network — nearly double the amount in the current budget. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Biden administration may soon overhaul organ transplant system to minimise inadequacies

Every year, hundreds of organ transplants around the world fail due to unsuccessful operations. At times, this is due to a faulty assessment of the donor organ by medical staff. To remedy this, British researchers have come up with a new Artificial Intelligence powered tool that can help boost the quality of donor organs. The new tool, which has been described by the Guardian as "pioneering," uses AI to score potential organs. The AI-based tool called OrQA or Organ Quality Assessment does this by comparing them to images of tens of thousands of other organs previously used in transplants.&nbsp;

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This too can potentially help surgeons in the UK perform an additional 300 transplants every year.

Currently, medical professionals rely on their own assessment of the feasibility of a donor organ. This assessment, at times, goes wrong. In some scenarios, wrongly picked organs mean unsuccessful operations, in others it means that useful organs get disregarded.

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Prof Hassan Ugail, director of the centre for visual computing at the University of Bradford, who along with his team is refining the AI's ability to analyse images explained, "Currently when an organ becomes available, it is assessed by a surgical team by sight."

This, as per him, "means, occasionally, organs will be deemed not suitable for transplant."

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He further elaborated that OrQA will be used to assess images of donor organs in a more effective manner than "what the human eye can see."

OrQA will do this by looking for damage and pre-existing conditions in the organs. It will also monitor how well blood has been flushed out of the donor organ. To use the tool, surgeons will just have to upload a picture of the donated organ and the tool will guide them on how best to use it.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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Every year, hundreds of organ transplants around the world fail due to unsuccessful operations. At times, this is due to a faulty assessment of the donor organ by medical staff.

Every year, hundreds of organ transplants around the world fail due to unsuccessful operations. At times, this is due to a faulty assessment of the donor organ by medical staff. To remedy this, British researchers have come up with a new Artificial Intelligence powered tool that can help boost the quality of donor organs. The new tool, which has been described by the Guardian as "pioneering," uses AI to score potential organs. The AI-based tool called OrQA or Organ Quality Assessment does this by comparing them to images of tens of thousands of other organs previously used in transplants. Watch | Will the moon get its own time zone? This too can potentially help surgeons in the UK perform an additional 300 transplants every year. Currently, medical professionals rely on their own assessment of the feasibility of a donor organ. This assessment, at times, goes wrong. In some scenarios, wrongly picked organs mean unsuccessful operations, in others it means that useful organs get disregarded. Also read | Study finds 'dramatic decline in mental well-being’ of young people, especially during COVID pandemic Prof Hassan Ugail, director of the centre for visual computing at the University of Bradford, who along with his team is refining the AI's ability to analyse images explained, "Currently when an organ becomes available, it is assessed by a surgical team by sight." This, as per him, "means, occasionally, organs will be deemed not suitable for transplant." Also read | 11 minutes of daily walk could prevent 1 in 10 early deaths: Study He further elaborated that OrQA will be used to assess images of donor organs in a more effective manner than "what the human eye can see." OrQA will do this by looking for damage and pre-existing conditions in the organs. It will also monitor how well blood has been flushed out of the donor organ. To use the tool, surgeons will just have to upload a picture of the donated organ and the tool will guide them on how best to use it. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

AI to pick suitable organs for transplants; help surgeons perform 300 more operations a year

Police in Italy used a customised Lamborghini supercar to deliver two kidneys to the patients on Tuesday hundreds of kilometres apart, it was announced.&nbsp;

"Travelling on the motorway to deliver the most beautiful Christmas present: life," the police said in a statement posted on social media, along with a picture of a medical cool box in a purpose-built compartment at the front of the Lamborghini Huracan.

"Thanks to the State Police's special Father Christmas, two people have received the gift of a kidney," the statement added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientists-alter-blood-type-of-donor-kidneys-to-increase-supply-of-organs-for-transplant-507177">Scientists alter blood type of donor kidneys to increase supply of organs for transplant</a>

The organs were driven from Padua in Italy's northeast to hospitals in Modena and then Rome.

The Lamborghini Huracan, which has a top speed of 300kmph (190mph) and the capacity to go from 0-100kmph in 3.2 seconds, was a 2017 gift to police from the luxury carmaker.

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-new-age-of-organ-transplantation-wion-wideangle-452545">The new age of organ transplantation | WION Wideangle</a>

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It was assigned to highway patrol in Bologna, northern Italy, for use in both normal police operations and the urgent transport of blood and organs.

Another Huracan is operated by the highway patrol in Rome, while a 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo once used by the police is now in a museum.

The Lamborghini Huracan is held as one of the most iconic supercars anywhere in the world and while its amazing capabilities are often raved about by enthusiasts, it is its ability to go really fast that also serves to help in ways far nobler.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Police in Italy used a customised Lamborghini supercar to deliver two kidneys to the patients on Tuesday hundreds of kilometres apart, it was announced. "Travelling on the motorway to deliver the most beautiful Christmas present: life," the police said in a statement posted on social media, along with a picture of a medical cool box in a purpose-built compartment at the front of the Lamborghini Huracan.

Police in Italy used a customised Lamborghini supercar to deliver two kidneys to the patients on Tuesday hundreds of kilometres apart, it was announced. "Travelling on the motorway to deliver the most beautiful Christmas present: life," the police said in a statement posted on social media, along with a picture of a medical cool box in a purpose-built compartment at the front of the Lamborghini Huracan. "Thanks to the State Police's special Father Christmas, two people have received the gift of a kidney," the statement added. ALSO READ | Scientists alter blood type of donor kidneys to increase supply of organs for transplant The organs were driven from Padua in Italy's northeast to hospitals in Modena and then Rome. The Lamborghini Huracan, which has a top speed of 300kmph (190mph) and the capacity to go from 0-100kmph in 3.2 seconds, was a 2017 gift to police from the luxury carmaker. WATCH | The new age of organ transplantation | WION Wideangle × It was assigned to highway patrol in Bologna, northern Italy, for use in both normal police operations and the urgent transport of blood and organs. Another Huracan is operated by the highway patrol in Rome, while a 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo once used by the police is now in a museum. The Lamborghini Huracan is held as one of the most iconic supercars anywhere in the world and while its amazing capabilities are often raved about by enthusiasts, it is its ability to go really fast that also serves to help in ways far nobler. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Police in Italy use Lamborghini to transport organs to people hundred miles apart

According to the figures from the global observatory on donation and transplantation, Spain is considered as one of the world leaders in organ transplant. With the country accounting for 5% of organ donations in the world in the year 2021. Watch the video to know how the country has made a groundbreaking intestinal transplant on a baby.

Spain achieves groundbreaking feat: Baby gets intestinal transplant

Researchers announced on Tuesday (July 12) that surgeons at NYU Langone Health have successfully transplanted genetically-engineered pig hearts into two brain-dead patients. This is the first-ever successful pig heart transplant into a living person. Experts say it is an encouraging step for the medical field.&nbsp;

After this organ transplant milestone, the researchers said they believe they are moving a step closer to a long-term goal of using pig parts to address the shortage of human organs for transplant.&nbsp;

The doctors have said that the hearts exhibited normal heart function in the days following the surgery. There were no signs of rejection during the three-day experiments in June and July.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/researchers-discover-that-monkeypox-patients-shed-significant-virus-load-that-are-potentially-infectious-496666">Researchers discover that monkeypox patients shed significant virus load that are ‘potentially’ infectious</a>&nbsp;

It was revealed that the experiments followed the death in March of a 57-year-old man with terminal heart disease who made history two months earlier at the University of Maryland as the first person to receive a genetically modified pig heart. The reasons why his new heart eventually failed are still unclear.&nbsp;

Nader Moazami, the heart transplantation surgical director at NYU Langone Transplant Institute, oversaw the procedures. Moazami said that the institute hopes to move forward with clinical trials using the organs in the future.&nbsp;

In a statement, Moazami, said, "It brings me great excitement to tell you that the function of the heart was excellent. We did have to make some technical surgical modifications at the time of transplantation."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-magic-chemical-found-in-vegetables-can-double-pace-of-your-wound-healing-496618">This magic chemical found in vegetables can double pace of your wound healing</a>

Moazami further explained: "Part of that is because the pig heart is very similar, but is not identical to the human heart. Part of that was because in the first operation that we did, the heart was slightly undersized and we had to make some modifications."&nbsp;

The researchers said that hearts from pigs were engineered by Revivicor Inc and screened them for viruses using an enhanced monitoring protocol.&nbsp;

Xenotransplantation is safer in brain-dead recipients&nbsp;

For now, the researchers think xenotransplantation is safer in brain-dead recipients than in living patients. Also, more informative because biopsies can be done more often.

"We could determine that in tremendous detail by taking biopsies, looking at it under a microscope, doing special staining, analyzing, you know, the…, from a molecular standpoint, what was happening in that organ. So the detail, the amount we could learn was tremendous,"&nbsp;Moazami said.&nbsp;

NYU researchers also transplanted pig kidneys into two brain-dead recipients in 2021.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Researchers announced on Tuesday (July 12) that surgeons at NYU Langone Health have successfully transplanted genetically-engineered pig hearts into two brain-dead patients.

Researchers announced on Tuesday (July 12) that surgeons at NYU Langone Health have successfully transplanted genetically-engineered pig hearts into two brain-dead patients. This is the first-ever successful pig heart transplant into a living person. Experts say it is an encouraging step for the medical field. After this organ transplant milestone, the researchers said they believe they are moving a step closer to a long-term goal of using pig parts to address the shortage of human organs for transplant. The doctors have said that the hearts exhibited normal heart function in the days following the surgery. There were no signs of rejection during the three-day experiments in June and July. ALSO READ | Researchers discover that monkeypox patients shed significant virus load that are ‘potentially’ infectious It was revealed that the experiments followed the death in March of a 57-year-old man with terminal heart disease who made history two months earlier at the University of Maryland as the first person to receive a genetically modified pig heart. The reasons why his new heart eventually failed are still unclear. Nader Moazami, the heart transplantation surgical director at NYU Langone Transplant Institute, oversaw the procedures. Moazami said that the institute hopes to move forward with clinical trials using the organs in the future. In a statement, Moazami, said, "It brings me great excitement to tell you that the function of the heart was excellent. We did have to make some technical surgical modifications at the time of transplantation." ALSO READ | This magic chemical found in vegetables can double pace of your wound healing Moazami further explained: "Part of that is because the pig heart is very similar, but is not identical to the human heart. Part of that was because in the first operation that we did, the heart was slightly undersized and we had to make some modifications." The researchers said that hearts from pigs were engineered by Revivicor Inc and screened them for viruses using an enhanced monitoring protocol. Xenotransplantation is safer in brain-dead recipients For now, the researchers think xenotransplantation is safer in brain-dead recipients than in living patients. Also, more informative because biopsies can be done more often. "We could determine that in tremendous detail by taking biopsies, looking at it under a microscope, doing special staining, analyzing, you know, the…, from a molecular standpoint, what was happening in that organ. So the detail, the amount we could learn was tremendous," Moazami said. NYU researchers also transplanted pig kidneys into two brain-dead recipients in 2021. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Genetically-engineered pig hearts successfully transplanted into brain-dead patients

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of solid organ transplants fell dramatically in the world, researchers said. It highlights the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on health services and patients. &nbsp;

Due to the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases around the world, several hospitals were forced to delay potentially life-saving organ transplant surgeries as the resources like intensive care beds were needed for coronavirus patients.

Watch:&nbsp;South African scientists detect new COVID variant

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There were also concerns about treating these transplant recipients in hospitals at that time. &nbsp;

A report in July from NHS Blood and Transplant depicted in the year 2020-21 transplant activity was down to around 80% of normal levels. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the UK, there were only 3,391 transplants carried out in comparison with 4,761 in the previous 12 months. Overall, around 487 patients died while waiting for a transplant in comparison to 372 in 2019-20. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-a-first-indian-ceo-declares-netflix-and-chill-holiday-for-staff-gets-flooded-with-employment-requests-409589" hreflang="en">In a first, Indian CEO declares ‘Netflix and chill holiday’ for staff, gets flooded with employment requests</a>

It also estimated that about 7,000 people were likely waiting for a transplant in the UK, a figure was last seen in 2012-13. &nbsp;

“Temporal trends revealed a marked worldwide reduction in transplant activity during the first three months of the pandemic, with losses stabilising after June 2020, but decreasing again from October to December 2020,” the team said.&nbsp;

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of solid organ transplants fell dramatically in the world, researchers said. It highlights the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on health services and patients.

Between 2019 and 2020, the number of solid organ transplants fell dramatically in the world, researchers said. It highlights the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on health services and patients. Due to the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases around the world, several hospitals were forced to delay potentially life-saving organ transplant surgeries as the resources like intensive care beds were needed for coronavirus patients. Watch: South African scientists detect new COVID variant × There were also concerns about treating these transplant recipients in hospitals at that time. A report in July from NHS Blood and Transplant depicted in the year 2020-21 transplant activity was down to around 80% of normal levels. In the UK, there were only 3,391 transplants carried out in comparison with 4,761 in the previous 12 months. Overall, around 487 patients died while waiting for a transplant in comparison to 372 in 2019-20. Also Read: In a first, Indian CEO declares ‘Netflix and chill holiday’ for staff, gets flooded with employment requests It also estimated that about 7,000 people were likely waiting for a transplant in the UK, a figure was last seen in 2012-13. “Temporal trends revealed a marked worldwide reduction in transplant activity during the first three months of the pandemic, with losses stabilising after June 2020, but decreasing again from October to December 2020,” the team said.

Number of organ transplants dip as COVID-19 grips world  

In a study, it was found that organ donation from dying donors who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 is safe and does not cause COVID-19 in the patient receiving the organ donation.

The Covid pandemic resulted in increased organ disposal rates because of unclear risks associated with the use of organs from COVID-19-infected donors, causing the shortage of abdominal organs for donation.

Study approach:

Using organs obtained from deceased donors who tested positive for Covid, researchers at Duke University in the US analysed six abdominal organ transplants performed in four recipients (2 livers, 2 kidneys and pancreas combined).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/childrens-natural-immunity-against-covid-lasts-up-to-seven-months-but-vaccines-are-still-important-study-464653" hreflang="en">Children's natural immunity against Covid lasts up to seven months, but vaccines are still important: Study</a>

During the donor evaluation protocol, all four donors were subjected to microscopic and/or macroscopic biopsy reviews to confirm that their organs were suitable for transplant.

Organ type, duration and severity of COVID-19 sickness, possible signs of hypercoagulable disease (meaning an increase in clotting in donated organs and vessels) and a careful overall inspection were all factors taken into account when assessing organ donors.

Furthermore, lung or intestine donations were only considered if the donor had tested positive for Covid more than 20 days ago, in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) infection control practices.

The team explained that if the virus was found in the base of the lungs, the lungs would be unsuitable for transplantation, but other organs could still be transplanted safely, provided the donor wasn't suffering from severe hyperinflammatory COVID-19 or had abnormal clotting patterns.

Are there any other things that need to be taken into consideration?

After passing all these hoops, doctors must still consider a donor's final cause of death to determine whether it may negatively affect organ quality and/or surgical risk, they said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shanghai-residents-panic-sleep-in-office-as-lockdown-threats-loom-amid-chinas-biggest-covid-19-outbreak-464923" hreflang="en">Shanghai residents panic, sleep in office as lockdown threats loom amid China's biggest COVID-19 outbreak</a>

Additionally, recipients are highly advised to get fully vaccinated with COVID-19 prior to surgery to reduce transplant risk.

"Being unvaccinated can increase the risk of severe COVID-19 in transplanted patients due to their immunosuppression drugs post-transplant. For that reason, we strongly encourage our patients on the waiting list to get vaccinated. However, being unvaccinated does not take someone off the organ transplant waiting list at our institution at this time," said Dr Emily Eichenberger from the University`s School of Medicine.

Watch |&nbsp;This could happen if China doesn’t control its worst Covid-19 outbreak

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It is also desirable that the donor be vaccinated, as this may reduce the risk of severe organ inflammation. However, a donor's unknown or negative vaccination status would not preclude the use of otherwise good quality organs from a Covid-19-infected donor.

"While limited, our experience to date supports the use of abdominal organs from COVID-19 positive donors as safe and effective, even those actively infected, or with lung disease caused by COVID-19," Eichenberger said.

A presentation of the research will be made at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, taking place in Lisbon in April.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a study, it was found that organ donation from dying donors who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 is safe and does not cause COVID-19 in the patient receiving the organ donation.

In a study, it was found that organ donation from dying donors who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 is safe and does not cause COVID-19 in the patient receiving the organ donation. The Covid pandemic resulted in increased organ disposal rates because of unclear risks associated with the use of organs from COVID-19-infected donors, causing the shortage of abdominal organs for donation. Study approach: Using organs obtained from deceased donors who tested positive for Covid, researchers at Duke University in the US analysed six abdominal organ transplants performed in four recipients (2 livers, 2 kidneys and pancreas combined). Also read | Children's natural immunity against Covid lasts up to seven months, but vaccines are still important: Study During the donor evaluation protocol, all four donors were subjected to microscopic and/or macroscopic biopsy reviews to confirm that their organs were suitable for transplant. Organ type, duration and severity of COVID-19 sickness, possible signs of hypercoagulable disease (meaning an increase in clotting in donated organs and vessels) and a careful overall inspection were all factors taken into account when assessing organ donors. Furthermore, lung or intestine donations were only considered if the donor had tested positive for Covid more than 20 days ago, in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) infection control practices. The team explained that if the virus was found in the base of the lungs, the lungs would be unsuitable for transplantation, but other organs could still be transplanted safely, provided the donor wasn't suffering from severe hyperinflammatory COVID-19 or had abnormal clotting patterns. Are there any other things that need to be taken into consideration? After passing all these hoops, doctors must still consider a donor's final cause of death to determine whether it may negatively affect organ quality and/or surgical risk, they said. Also read | Shanghai residents panic, sleep in office as lockdown threats loom amid China's biggest COVID-19 outbreak Additionally, recipients are highly advised to get fully vaccinated with COVID-19 prior to surgery to reduce transplant risk. "Being unvaccinated can increase the risk of severe COVID-19 in transplanted patients due to their immunosuppression drugs post-transplant. For that reason, we strongly encourage our patients on the waiting list to get vaccinated. However, being unvaccinated does not take someone off the organ transplant waiting list at our institution at this time," said Dr Emily Eichenberger from the University`s School of Medicine. Watch | This could happen if China doesn’t control its worst Covid-19 outbreak It is also desirable that the donor be vaccinated, as this may reduce the risk of severe organ inflammation. However, a donor's unknown or negative vaccination status would not preclude the use of otherwise good quality organs from a Covid-19-infected donor. "While limited, our experience to date supports the use of abdominal organs from COVID-19 positive donors as safe and effective, even those actively infected, or with lung disease caused by COVID-19," Eichenberger said. A presentation of the research will be made at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, taking place in Lisbon in April. (With inputs from agencies)

Transplantation of organs from deceased COVID-19 patients is safe and possible. Here's how

A recent episode of 'The Good Fight' has not gone down well with pop star Selena Gomez or her fans. The episode referenced Selena's health battle which many felt was in bad taste. 
 
In season five, episode four, a comedy streaming executive Del (Wayne Brady) asks Liz (Audra McDonald) to conduct a sensitivity read on one of his comedians. This leads to a conversation on comedy and cancel&nbsp;culture. During a discussion between Marissa (Sarah Steele), Jay (Nyambi Nyambi), and Jim (Ifadansi Rashad), Jay says it feels like you now "need a permission slip to tell a joke." So, Jim prints some joke permits. Jay then wonders if there are any topics that are off-limits. "Um, necrophilia?" Jim replies. "No, that could be funny," Marissa responds. "Autism," Jay says. "Selena Gomez`s kidney transplant," Jim states. 
 
After watching the episode, several of Selena`s fans began tweeting 'Respect Selena Gomez.' 
 
"When will people stop doing this!! RESPECT SELENA GOMEZ," one follower tweeted.

Another wrote, "So we`re using Selena`s kidney transplant as a trend? Multiple times has this happened in media, it needs to stop. #RespectSelenaGomez."

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When will people stop doing this !!! RESPECT SELENA GOMEZ <a href="https://t.co/QdLX2PUTYo">pic.twitter.com/QdLX2PUTYo</a>
— me Lᴊ (@ikonictobi3) <a href="https://twitter.com/ikonictobi3/status/1422368233408155651?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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That stupid tv show hasn’t said nothing yet! Truly unprofessional of them 
 
Respect Selena Gomez
— Selena Gomez Our World (@SelenaGQueenpop) <a href="https://twitter.com/SelenaGQueenpop/status/1422700441591291906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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You don’t have to like Selena Gomez but you have to respect her privacy and you have to leave her alone when it comes to health. It is not even about Selena, you shouldn’t make fun of someone else’s disease in the first place.
— Yagiz (@mirrorballperry) <a href="https://twitter.com/mirrorballperry/status/1422702075524304896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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selena's transplant isn't something to joke about, she and francia deserve better 
 
RESPECT SELENA GOMEZ <a href="https://t.co/dcsmcEsUVJ">pic.twitter.com/dcsmcEsUVJ</a>
— ً (@taylenapicss) <a href="https://twitter.com/taylenapicss/status/1422367136983494656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

 
Gomez herself took to Twitter to discuss the scene. “I am not sure how writing jokes about organ transplants for television shows has become a thing but sadly it has apparently. I hope in the next writer’s room when one of these tasteless jokes are presented it’s called out immediately and doesn’t make it on air.”

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I am not sure how writing jokes about organ transplants for television shows has become a thing but sadly it has apparently. I hope in the next writer’s room when one of these tasteless jokes are presented it’s called out immediately and doesn’t make it on air.
— Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) <a href="https://twitter.com/selenagomez/status/1422700625599426561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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This isn't the first time that Gomez' health has been discussed on a TV show. Last November, the `Saved by the Bell` reboot came under fire for scenes showing students gossiping over who donated the kidney and graffiti that read 'Does Selena Gomez Even Have A Kidney.' 
 
Francia Raisa, who donated one of her kidneys to Selena, also spoke out about the episode. After receiving backlash, Peacock, UTV, and executive producers issued an apology and the scenes were removed.&nbsp; 
 
The singer underwent kidney transplant in 2017.&nbsp;

A recent episode of 'The Good Fight' has not gone down well with pop star Selena Gomez or her fans. The episode referenced Selena's health battle which many felt was in bad taste.

A recent episode of 'The Good Fight' has not gone down well with pop star Selena Gomez or her fans. The episode referenced Selena's health battle which many felt was in bad taste. In season five, episode four, a comedy streaming executive Del (Wayne Brady) asks Liz (Audra McDonald) to conduct a sensitivity read on one of his comedians. This leads to a conversation on comedy and cancel culture. During a discussion between Marissa (Sarah Steele), Jay (Nyambi Nyambi), and Jim (Ifadansi Rashad), Jay says it feels like you now "need a permission slip to tell a joke." So, Jim prints some joke permits. Jay then wonders if there are any topics that are off-limits. "Um, necrophilia?" Jim replies. "No, that could be funny," Marissa responds. "Autism," Jay says. "Selena Gomez`s kidney transplant," Jim states. After watching the episode, several of Selena`s fans began tweeting 'Respect Selena Gomez.' "When will people stop doing this!! RESPECT SELENA GOMEZ," one follower tweeted. Another wrote, "So we`re using Selena`s kidney transplant as a trend? Multiple times has this happened in media, it needs to stop. #RespectSelenaGomez." When will people stop doing this !!! RESPECT SELENA GOMEZ pic.twitter.com/QdLX2PUTYo — me Lᴊ (@ikonictobi3) August 3, 2021 × That stupid tv show hasn’t said nothing yet! Truly unprofessional of them Respect Selena Gomez — Selena Gomez Our World (@SelenaGQueenpop) August 3, 2021 × You don’t have to like Selena Gomez but you have to respect her privacy and you have to leave her alone when it comes to health. It is not even about Selena, you shouldn’t make fun of someone else’s disease in the first place. — Yagiz (@mirrorballperry) August 3, 2021 × selena's transplant isn't something to joke about, she and francia deserve better RESPECT SELENA GOMEZ pic.twitter.com/dcsmcEsUVJ — ً (@taylenapicss) August 3, 2021 × Gomez herself took to Twitter to discuss the scene. “I am not sure how writing jokes about organ transplants for television shows has become a thing but sadly it has apparently. I hope in the next writer’s room when one of these tasteless jokes are presented it’s called out immediately and doesn’t make it on air.” I am not sure how writing jokes about organ transplants for television shows has become a thing but sadly it has apparently. I hope in the next writer’s room when one of these tasteless jokes are presented it’s called out immediately and doesn’t make it on air. — Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) August 3, 2021 × This isn't the first time that Gomez' health has been discussed on a TV show. Last November, the `Saved by the Bell` reboot came under fire for scenes showing students gossiping over who donated the kidney and graffiti that read 'Does Selena Gomez Even Have A Kidney.' Francia Raisa, who donated one of her kidneys to Selena, also spoke out about the episode. After receiving backlash, Peacock, UTV, and executive producers issued an apology and the scenes were removed. The singer underwent kidney transplant in 2017.

Selena Gomez and fans call out series 'The Good Fight' for making a joke on the singer's kidney transplant

In a new study, researchers have developed an oral prodrug that delivers carbon monoxide to protect against acute kidney injury.&nbsp;Researchers from Georgia State University, led by Binghe Wang, published the study in Chemical Science.

Scientists have discovered that carbon monoxide (CO) can have beneficial effects by reducing inflammation and protecting cells against injury, even though it is toxic in large doses. CO has been found to protect kidneys, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and liver, as well as other organs, from injury.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/study-suggests-possible-link-between-alcohol-consumption-and-cancer-398739">Study suggests possible link between alcohol consumption and cancer</a>

Over a period of five years, using saccharine (found in Sweet'N Low) and acesulfame (found in Splenda) as "carrier" molecules, Wang's team developed prodrugs for treating CO that could be administered orally.

Prodrugs are inactive compounds that, when administered undergo a chemical process in the body, release&nbsp;active pharmacological agents. When exposed to water, these molecules decompose, releasing carbon dioxide.&nbsp;

These are the first examples of orally active, organic CO prodrugs that use a benign carrier and have a demonstrated safety profile.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/drinking-coffee-reduces-risk-of-contracting-coronavirus-study-397490">Drinking coffee reduces risk of contracting coronavirus: Study</a>

Wang, a senior author of the paper and a scholar at the Georgia Research Alliance, says that it is difficult to deliver gas therapeutics, much less poisonous gases, to patients and that this work represents an important step toward developing alternative delivery forms.&nbsp;

In order to be sure that the carrier will be safe to be used in a pill for human consumption, they wanted to work with a carrier that has a very well-characterised safety profile, she added.

A prodrug, CO-306, was tested for its potential to protect against acute kidney damage. By administering the prodrug along with the carrier molecule, saccharine to mice, the researchers found that it reduced the biomarkers of renal damage, suggesting that CO-306 could be developed into a viable therapeutic molecule.

Mouse models were used to replicate kidney tissue damage associated with muscle damage, sickle cell disease, malaria, cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, and severe sepsis.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-claiming-smokers-less-vulnerable-to-covid-19-retracted-as-authors-linked-to-tobacco-industry-379255">Study claiming smokers less vulnerable to COVID-19 retracted as authors linked to tobacco industry</a>

A more extensive animal model study and safety assessment will be conducted on CO-306 by Professor Wang and colleagues at Georgia State University, Vanderbilt University, Harvard Medical School, and the University of Mississippi before human clinical trials may begin.&nbsp;

In addition, they also plan to test its effectiveness against other types of organ injuries.

Wang says CO-based therapies particularly hold promise as a method of reducing the likelihood of organ damage during transplantation and improving outcomes for transplant patients.

CO-based therapy holds particular promise as a way to reduce the risk of organ damage during transplantation and improve recovery rates for transplant patients, according to Wang.

"Science shows that exposing organs to CO gas can help preserve organs and prevent them from deteriorating during the process of transplantation," he said. "Now we need to demonstrate that these prodrugs can have a similar effect."

(With inputs from agencies)

In a new study, researchers have developed an oral prodrug that delivers carbon monoxide to protect against acute kidney injury. Researchers from Georgia State University, led by Binghe Wang, published the study in Chemical Science.

In a new study, researchers have developed an oral prodrug that delivers carbon monoxide to protect against acute kidney injury. Researchers from Georgia State University, led by Binghe Wang, published the study in Chemical Science. Scientists have discovered that carbon monoxide (CO) can have beneficial effects by reducing inflammation and protecting cells against injury, even though it is toxic in large doses. CO has been found to protect kidneys, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and liver, as well as other organs, from injury. Also read | Study suggests possible link between alcohol consumption and cancer Over a period of five years, using saccharine (found in Sweet'N Low) and acesulfame (found in Splenda) as "carrier" molecules, Wang's team developed prodrugs for treating CO that could be administered orally. Prodrugs are inactive compounds that, when administered undergo a chemical process in the body, release active pharmacological agents. When exposed to water, these molecules decompose, releasing carbon dioxide. These are the first examples of orally active, organic CO prodrugs that use a benign carrier and have a demonstrated safety profile. Also read | Drinking coffee reduces risk of contracting coronavirus: Study Wang, a senior author of the paper and a scholar at the Georgia Research Alliance, says that it is difficult to deliver gas therapeutics, much less poisonous gases, to patients and that this work represents an important step toward developing alternative delivery forms. In order to be sure that the carrier will be safe to be used in a pill for human consumption, they wanted to work with a carrier that has a very well-characterised safety profile, she added. A prodrug, CO-306, was tested for its potential to protect against acute kidney damage. By administering the prodrug along with the carrier molecule, saccharine to mice, the researchers found that it reduced the biomarkers of renal damage, suggesting that CO-306 could be developed into a viable therapeutic molecule. Mouse models were used to replicate kidney tissue damage associated with muscle damage, sickle cell disease, malaria, cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, and severe sepsis. Also read | Study claiming smokers less vulnerable to COVID-19 retracted as authors linked to tobacco industry A more extensive animal model study and safety assessment will be conducted on CO-306 by Professor Wang and colleagues at Georgia State University, Vanderbilt University, Harvard Medical School, and the University of Mississippi before human clinical trials may begin. In addition, they also plan to test its effectiveness against other types of organ injuries. Wang says CO-based therapies particularly hold promise as a method of reducing the likelihood of organ damage during transplantation and improving outcomes for transplant patients. CO-based therapy holds particular promise as a way to reduce the risk of organ damage during transplantation and improve recovery rates for transplant patients, according to Wang. "Science shows that exposing organs to CO gas can help preserve organs and prevent them from deteriorating during the process of transplantation," he said. "Now we need to demonstrate that these prodrugs can have a similar effect." (With inputs from agencies)

Carbon monoxide can be used to protect organs during transplant: Study

Despite the prevalent risk of COVID-19, two critically ill patients at a Chennai hospital are currently stable after they received a new lease of life, thanks to a timely organ transplant.&nbsp;

An accident victim, a 27-year old male, was admitted to a private hospital in Salem, Tamil Nadu after he suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-sterlite-claims-to-have-produced-over-542mt-of-liquid-medical-oxygen-for-tamil-nadu-390109" hreflang="en">COVID-19: Sterlite claims to have produced over 542MT of liquid medical oxygen for Tamil Nadu</a>

Despite the best efforts of the medical experts, he was declared brain dead during the course of his treatment. After an approved brain death certificate and thorough counseling, the family agreed to donate his organs.&nbsp;

His heart and lungs were retrieved by a team of experts in Salem and a green corridor was created between Salem and Chennai to transport both the vital organs. These organs were airlifted from Salem and transported to Chennai in two hours (a distance of over 350kms), using a chopper.

Experts at MGM Healthcare, Chennai performed life-saving surgeries to give a new lease of life to critically ill patients. Both the patients are stable and the surgeries were performed while following COVID-19 protocols. The remaining organs were dispatched to other hospitals.

Despite the prevalent risk of COVID-19, two critically ill patients at a Chennai hospital are currently stable after they received a new lease of life, thanks to a timely organ transplant.

Despite the prevalent risk of COVID-19, two critically ill patients at a Chennai hospital are currently stable after they received a new lease of life, thanks to a timely organ transplant. An accident victim, a 27-year old male, was admitted to a private hospital in Salem, Tamil Nadu after he suffered a traumatic brain injury. Also read | COVID-19: Sterlite claims to have produced over 542MT of liquid medical oxygen for Tamil Nadu Despite the best efforts of the medical experts, he was declared brain dead during the course of his treatment. After an approved brain death certificate and thorough counseling, the family agreed to donate his organs. His heart and lungs were retrieved by a team of experts in Salem and a green corridor was created between Salem and Chennai to transport both the vital organs. These organs were airlifted from Salem and transported to Chennai in two hours (a distance of over 350kms), using a chopper. Experts at MGM Healthcare, Chennai performed life-saving surgeries to give a new lease of life to critically ill patients. Both the patients are stable and the surgeries were performed while following COVID-19 protocols. The remaining organs were dispatched to other hospitals.

Chennai: Organs of 27-yr old accident victim flown by chopper, to give life to two patients

Patients, who had organ transplants, remain vulnerable to COVID-19 infections even after a second vaccine dose, finds a study that urges people who are immunocompromised to strictly adhere to wearing masks, and maintain physical distancing, even after vaccination. 
 
The study, led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the US, showed that after two doses of Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, &nbsp;the virus that causes COVID 19, just 54 per cent of people who have received solid organ transplants produced sufficient antibodies. The findings are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). 
 
"Transplant recipients should not assume that two vaccine doses guarantee sufficient immunity against SARS-CoV-2 any more than it did after just one dose," said Dorry Segev, Professor of Surgery and Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. 
 
"Based on our findings, we recommend that transplant recipients and other immunocompromised patients continue to practice strict <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> safety precautions, even after vaccination," added lead author Brian Boyarsky, a surgeon at the varsity. 
 
People who receive solid organ transplants (such as hearts, lungs and kidneys) often must take drugs to suppress their immune systems and prevent rejection. Such regimens may interfere with a transplant recipient`s ability to make antibodies to foreign substances, including the protective ones produced in response to vaccines, the researchers said. 
 
The study evaluated this immunogenic response following vaccination from either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech in 658 transplant recipients, none of whom had a prior diagnosis of COVID-19, between December 16, 2020, and March 13, 2021. 
 
The team found that only 98 of the 658 study participants, 15 per cent, had detectable antibodies to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">SARS-CoV-2</a> at 21 days after the first vaccine dose. 
 
At 29 days following the second dose, the number of participants with detectable antibodies rose to 357 out of 658, 54 per cent. After both vaccine doses were administered, 301 out of 658 participants, 46 per cent had no detectable antibody at all while 259, 39 per cent only produced antibodies after the second shot.

Patients, who had organ transplants, remain vulnerable to COVID-19 infections even after a second vaccine dose, finds a study that urges people who are immunocompromised to strictly adhere to wearing masks, and maintain physical distancing, even after vaccination.

Patients, who had organ transplants, remain vulnerable to COVID-19 infections even after a second vaccine dose, finds a study that urges people who are immunocompromised to strictly adhere to wearing masks, and maintain physical distancing, even after vaccination. The study, led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the US, showed that after two doses of Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID 19, just 54 per cent of people who have received solid organ transplants produced sufficient antibodies. The findings are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). "Transplant recipients should not assume that two vaccine doses guarantee sufficient immunity against SARS-CoV-2 any more than it did after just one dose," said Dorry Segev, Professor of Surgery and Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. "Based on our findings, we recommend that transplant recipients and other immunocompromised patients continue to practice strict COVID-19 safety precautions, even after vaccination," added lead author Brian Boyarsky, a surgeon at the varsity. People who receive solid organ transplants (such as hearts, lungs and kidneys) often must take drugs to suppress their immune systems and prevent rejection. Such regimens may interfere with a transplant recipient`s ability to make antibodies to foreign substances, including the protective ones produced in response to vaccines, the researchers said. The study evaluated this immunogenic response following vaccination from either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech in 658 transplant recipients, none of whom had a prior diagnosis of COVID-19, between December 16, 2020, and March 13, 2021. The team found that only 98 of the 658 study participants, 15 per cent, had detectable antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 at 21 days after the first vaccine dose. At 29 days following the second dose, the number of participants with detectable antibodies rose to 357 out of 658, 54 per cent. After both vaccine doses were administered, 301 out of 658 participants, 46 per cent had no detectable antibody at all while 259, 39 per cent only produced antibodies after the second shot.

COVID jabs won't raise immunity in organ transplant patients: Study

By Anshu Dubey

&nbsp;

“Don’t take your organs to heaven, heaven knows we need them here,”&nbsp;said Maxie Scully who died on August 12, 2006, after a lifetime battle with an illness.

Scully was told at the age of 21 that his kidney had failed and he was given three days to live. After a transplant, he went on to live for 30 years and at the time of his death was Ireland’s longest surviving kidney transplant recipient.

Indian-American entrepreneur Anil Srivats is one individual who changed his brother’s life by donating him a kidney back in 2014 - an event which changed his life for good.&nbsp;

Srivats started “Gift Of Life” Adventure - a series of overland expeditions aimed at spreading organ donation awareness. He hopes to encourage people to start a conversation on the subject. In an exclusive interview to WION, Srivats highlighted his vision and mission, his solutions for the standing issue and a message for people across the world on organ donation.

As he drove across 43 countries - being on the road for over 400 days and sharing his story with over 73,000 people - Srivats shared his experiences of living in his car and exploring some amazing events in this interview with us. Below are the excerpts from the interview:

WION: When was the first time you began this initiative? &nbsp;&nbsp;

Srivats: The first time was 6 months after my brother had the transplant. That was sometime in March 2015, when he and I went cycling to Spain to let people know that life can still be good after the transplant. 
&nbsp; 
WION: What was the major driving factor behind this initiative and the expedition?

Srivats: The idea was to let people know that after a kidney transplant life can be as normal or even as extraordinary as before. A lot of people I see are afraid. I gave my kidney to my brother and there are still over a million people in India who are looking for a kidney. My decision was based out of my love for my body. So the two questions I had with this whole thing was either there is not enough love or there is something else. That something else is common to everybody and that’s fear. They are afraid of what would happen to them if their life would be normal. There are not enough stories in the public media domain of live organ donors like us. You have plenty of stories of recipients. So there are not enough stories to show they are doing fine so others can have the courage and the confidence to do it. If I want to become the first story, I would like to add others’ stories, of people like me to my story and that’s how I started the foundation. Soon, I started to collect panel of speakers who are living with organ donors and hopefully we’ll start hearing their stories too. The fact that I started driving for this, allows me to get to the grassroots around the world and speak to people of all communities. Because I’m doing this, I also get the support and attention of the media around the world and my story goes out at a much larger scale. What I am doing is hard to do, but I enjoy it. Telling my story face to face to somebody is far more effective than shooting videos and putting it on social media. When I look into the whites of people’s eyes and them into mine, they are able to relate as I tell my story as a person who has actually done it, the impact is different. 
&nbsp; 
WION: What were your most unique experiences down the lane?

Srivats: Initially it was about crossing borders. Each border is different. What I have found is close to what Zee actually believes - Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam. Everywhere we’ve gone, 43 countries, people are generally good. There is so much good news in the world that we hardly see it on TV. Most of the people haven’t even heard about organ donation. There is so much to do in this space.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
WION: What solutions does India need where there is pendency for around 2 lakh kidneys and the availability is under 500?

Srivats: Indians are everywhere and we are probably the community that donates the least organs. I give you the statistics of England, 30 per cent of those waiting for an organ transplant are Indians in the UK because we have the highest susceptibility to kidney and liver failure because of our diet. If you look at the donor list in the UK, less than 4per cent are from the Indian subcontinent. There is an inherent problem as a community. India as a country has other issues, awareness is one of them. Two years ago I drove around India for 5 months. I was doing my 'Swades' moment and I found there is so much generosity in tier-2, tier-3 and rural India as compared to cities in India when it comes to organ donation. But unfortunately, there are not much collection or retrieval centres that they have access to. They want to donate but there is no place to donate. Infrastructure in India is the biggest issue and nobody is addressing this, otherwise, we would have solved this problem a long time ago had we just reached out and gone to their communities. The law in India is not easy, the infrastructure is not easy. 
&nbsp; 
WION: How do you fund your trips? &nbsp;&nbsp;

Srivats: I have sponsors, they take care of the hard costs, my travel. I live in my car, I cook in my car, I have a lot of my life in my car, so my car needs to be comfortable. My sponsors take care of that. But I still need to fuel the car, eat and stay in hotels once in a while when the weather is bad or when I feel it’s unsafe to stay in the car. That is crowd funded. I have fundraisers going on, even on Facebook. &nbsp;When I drive, I hold talks with schools, communities, senior centres, rotary clubs, I carry a hundi with me and people just contribute whatever they can and I use that money for fuel and food sometimes. It’s not easy but it’s a huge lesson in humility.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
WION: What kind of response do you mostly get?

Srivats: If I had to book a hall and sell tickets to people to come listen to me talk, I wouldn’t sell one ticket. So when I get into a captive audience where they insert me in an existing programme, not one person leaves the room because, obviously, my presentation skills have improved over time. I’ve done over 300 talks so I end up making people laugh like a standup comedian. &nbsp;But to get them in the room is really hard because the subject matter is not very interesting to anybody. We do not realise, we worship Lord Ganesha every year with huge pomp and show, he was the first recipient of an organ.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
WION: What is your message to people regarding organ donation? &nbsp; &nbsp;

Srivats: Organ donation is an act of love. It is something people need to consider for a couple of reasons. Even if we look at the way we conduct our last rites depending on our religion, some religions bury their bodies, some religions cremate and at the end of the day the basic premise of cremation is to put your body back in the universe - ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Parsis put their bodies in the tower of silence, so even after death they can become food for the birds and be useful for the universe. Organ donation is no different, especially after we die. They're anyway doing things for our bodies to go back to the universe, so giving parts of our body to some human being who needs it is also part of the universe. So, the act of love has to come from inside and for that you need to get rid of the fear, because people are afraid for themselves and their next lives and they find a reason to say ‘no’ because they are afraid of something. If you are looking for a place in heaven, every religious scripture says “Jeevan daan hi sabse bada daan hai” (gift of life is the biggest gift possible). The only way to become an organ donor is to start a conversation at home. Signing up, especially in India is useless, because signing up is not legally recognized. I can sign up but the law gives my family the right to decide for me whether I want it or not. 
&nbsp; 
WION: Any country model that you see from where India can learn from?

Srivats: Unfortunately, India is learning the wrong things from every country. There are countries in Scandinavia and Europe and Ireland recently became an opt out country, which means every citizen of these countries is automatically an organ donor unless you opt out in writing that you don’t want to be and state the reason. This is because statistics have shown that people who opt out or people who opt in, the rate is the same. So you may as well make them organ donors by default as very few people will write in an opt-out. For a place like India where there are so many superstitious beliefs that are plaguing this humane act, if the law comes in place everybody will be forced to come on the way of humanity.

By Anshu Dubey “Don’t take your organs to heaven, heaven knows we need them here,” said Maxie Scully who died on August 12, 2006, after a lifetime battle with an illness.

By Anshu Dubey “Don’t take your organs to heaven, heaven knows we need them here,” said Maxie Scully who died on August 12, 2006, after a lifetime battle with an illness. Scully was told at the age of 21 that his kidney had failed and he was given three days to live. After a transplant, he went on to live for 30 years and at the time of his death was Ireland’s longest surviving kidney transplant recipient. Indian-American entrepreneur Anil Srivats is one individual who changed his brother’s life by donating him a kidney back in 2014 - an event which changed his life for good. Srivats started “Gift Of Life” Adventure - a series of overland expeditions aimed at spreading organ donation awareness. He hopes to encourage people to start a conversation on the subject. In an exclusive interview to WION, Srivats highlighted his vision and mission, his solutions for the standing issue and a message for people across the world on organ donation. As he drove across 43 countries - being on the road for over 400 days and sharing his story with over 73,000 people - Srivats shared his experiences of living in his car and exploring some amazing events in this interview with us. Below are the excerpts from the interview: WION: When was the first time you began this initiative? Srivats: The first time was 6 months after my brother had the transplant. That was sometime in March 2015, when he and I went cycling to Spain to let people know that life can still be good after the transplant. WION: What was the major driving factor behind this initiative and the expedition? Srivats: The idea was to let people know that after a kidney transplant life can be as normal or even as extraordinary as before. A lot of people I see are afraid. I gave my kidney to my brother and there are still over a million people in India who are looking for a kidney. My decision was based out of my love for my body. So the two questions I had with this whole thing was either there is not enough love or there is something else. That something else is common to everybody and that’s fear. They are afraid of what would happen to them if their life would be normal. There are not enough stories in the public media domain of live organ donors like us. You have plenty of stories of recipients. So there are not enough stories to show they are doing fine so others can have the courage and the confidence to do it. If I want to become the first story, I would like to add others’ stories, of people like me to my story and that’s how I started the foundation. Soon, I started to collect panel of speakers who are living with organ donors and hopefully we’ll start hearing their stories too. The fact that I started driving for this, allows me to get to the grassroots around the world and speak to people of all communities. Because I’m doing this, I also get the support and attention of the media around the world and my story goes out at a much larger scale. What I am doing is hard to do, but I enjoy it. Telling my story face to face to somebody is far more effective than shooting videos and putting it on social media. When I look into the whites of people’s eyes and them into mine, they are able to relate as I tell my story as a person who has actually done it, the impact is different. WION: What were your most unique experiences down the lane? Srivats: Initially it was about crossing borders. Each border is different. What I have found is close to what Zee actually believes - Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam. Everywhere we’ve gone, 43 countries, people are generally good. There is so much good news in the world that we hardly see it on TV. Most of the people haven’t even heard about organ donation. There is so much to do in this space. WION: What solutions does India need where there is pendency for around 2 lakh kidneys and the availability is under 500? Srivats: Indians are everywhere and we are probably the community that donates the least organs. I give you the statistics of England, 30 per cent of those waiting for an organ transplant are Indians in the UK because we have the highest susceptibility to kidney and liver failure because of our diet. If you look at the donor list in the UK, less than 4per cent are from the Indian subcontinent. There is an inherent problem as a community. India as a country has other issues, awareness is one of them. Two years ago I drove around India for 5 months. I was doing my 'Swades' moment and I found there is so much generosity in tier-2, tier-3 and rural India as compared to cities in India when it comes to organ donation. But unfortunately, there are not much collection or retrieval centres that they have access to. They want to donate but there is no place to donate. Infrastructure in India is the biggest issue and nobody is addressing this, otherwise, we would have solved this problem a long time ago had we just reached out and gone to their communities. The law in India is not easy, the infrastructure is not easy. WION: How do you fund your trips? Srivats: I have sponsors, they take care of the hard costs, my travel. I live in my car, I cook in my car, I have a lot of my life in my car, so my car needs to be comfortable. My sponsors take care of that. But I still need to fuel the car, eat and stay in hotels once in a while when the weather is bad or when I feel it’s unsafe to stay in the car. That is crowd funded. I have fundraisers going on, even on Facebook. When I drive, I hold talks with schools, communities, senior centres, rotary clubs, I carry a hundi with me and people just contribute whatever they can and I use that money for fuel and food sometimes. It’s not easy but it’s a huge lesson in humility. WION: What kind of response do you mostly get? Srivats: If I had to book a hall and sell tickets to people to come listen to me talk, I wouldn’t sell one ticket. So when I get into a captive audience where they insert me in an existing programme, not one person leaves the room because, obviously, my presentation skills have improved over time. I’ve done over 300 talks so I end up making people laugh like a standup comedian. But to get them in the room is really hard because the subject matter is not very interesting to anybody. We do not realise, we worship Lord Ganesha every year with huge pomp and show, he was the first recipient of an organ. WION: What is your message to people regarding organ donation? Srivats: Organ donation is an act of love. It is something people need to consider for a couple of reasons. Even if we look at the way we conduct our last rites depending on our religion, some religions bury their bodies, some religions cremate and at the end of the day the basic premise of cremation is to put your body back in the universe - ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Parsis put their bodies in the tower of silence, so even after death they can become food for the birds and be useful for the universe. Organ donation is no different, especially after we die. They're anyway doing things for our bodies to go back to the universe, so giving parts of our body to some human being who needs it is also part of the universe. So, the act of love has to come from inside and for that you need to get rid of the fear, because people are afraid for themselves and their next lives and they find a reason to say ‘no’ because they are afraid of something. If you are looking for a place in heaven, every religious scripture says “Jeevan daan hi sabse bada daan hai” (gift of life is the biggest gift possible). The only way to become an organ donor is to start a conversation at home. Signing up, especially in India is useless, because signing up is not legally recognized. I can sign up but the law gives my family the right to decide for me whether I want it or not. WION: Any country model that you see from where India can learn from? Srivats: Unfortunately, India is learning the wrong things from every country. There are countries in Scandinavia and Europe and Ireland recently became an opt out country, which means every citizen of these countries is automatically an organ donor unless you opt out in writing that you don’t want to be and state the reason. This is because statistics have shown that people who opt out or people who opt in, the rate is the same. So you may as well make them organ donors by default as very few people will write in an opt-out. For a place like India where there are so many superstitious beliefs that are plaguing this humane act, if the law comes in place everybody will be forced to come on the way of humanity.

Indian-American entrepreneur travels across globe to promote organ donation, calls it 'act of love'

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