What a great week for science!
There was a follow-up article in The Lancet this month about the success of lab-grown vaginas. Yes, you read that correctly.
Seems there is a rather rare (or so we hope) birth defect where females are born without complete genital formation. One interview I read was with a woman who was born without a vaginal canal. Pretty serious stuff. Not only does it make life difficult in general, but it could mess with your head too.
Doctors took cells from the patients, created the new tissue and grafted it back onto their bodies. This was pure science fiction stuff back when I was a baby scientist. One study dealt with women suffering from Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome, a genetic condition where the women’s vagina and/or uterus is either underdeveloped or absent. They harvested muscle and epithelial cells via a biopsy of their genitals. (Epithelial cells line the body cavities and can release fluid and feel sensations.) Grew the tissue that was fastened to a biodegradable scaffold which was hand-sewn into a vagina. Then the surgeons created a canal in the patient’s pelvis and stitched the scaffold into place on their reproductive systems.
The body then forms nerves and blood vessels into the graft and gradually replaced the scaffold with a permanent functioning organ. This was done between 2005 and 2008. Annual check-ups show that the lab-grown vaginas and extremely similar to natural tissue in form and function. Even the doctors could barely tell where the natural tissue ended and the graft began! The women also tested normal in all areas of sexual function which includes desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm and sexual satisfaction.
Isn’t that cool? The doctors are now looking into using the same technique for women with cancer or have been injured in accidents. Anyone needing vaginal reconstruction.
More amazing efforts on the part of science and medicine. In an age where science is “evil,” I’m proud to be a scientist.
Now if they could just get 6-7 inch penis enlargement working…
Until that happens, Doc Johnson does have some nice penis extensions. Like this wonderful toy:
Quantum Cogitation 