•The development of the bionic kidney, by some American scientists, is great news. But that shows modern living is zero without research and development
In two years, other things being equal, patients of renal failure would have access to bionic kidneys, courtesy of a breakthrough by some researchers from the University of California at San Francisco, in the United States, according to Medical Online, a scientific journal.
The breakthrough, announced by the pair of William Vanderbilt Fissels and Shuvo Roy, heads of the research team, could banish dialysis from the treatment regimen of patients of kidney failure, with its physiological pain and psychological anguish; and replace malfunctioning kidneys with near-perfect bionic ones.
According to Medical Online, the artificial kidneys have near-zero chances of bodily rejections. This is because, according to the researchers, the bionic kidneys are made from renal cells; and its “first prototype is the size of a coffee cup and can balance the levels of sodium and potassium in the body while regulating blood pressure.”
The bionic kidney has many microchips; and it is moved by the heart. “Like normal kidneys,” Medical Online explained, “it is able to filter waste and toxins from the bloodstream.”
But it is a product of a project started in November 2015, when the scientists received a research grant of US $6 million, from the Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. Less than two years later, the world is on the verge of a historic breakthrough in medical sciences. Less than four years from the November 2015 start of the project, patients of damaged kidneys are poised to receive relief and near-total cure, in lieu of kidney transfers.
This is great news indeed; and Drs. Fissels and Roy, with their team, deserve global acclaim for their feat. Still, in this clime, that should point towards the indispensability of research and development in modern living, with many of its health hazards caused by suspect lifestyles.
By testimonies from resource persons at the 9th Bola Tinubu Colloquium, which held in Lagos on March 28, there are already a lot of research linkages between the Nigerian town and gown, most of these tailored at local technologies to solve specific local problems. That is good, though much more of it should be reported, so that the media can amplify them.
Still, Nigeria appears very far from that culture of consistent and persistent research, with private-sector and public-sector institutions, as well as foundations and trusts, ever ready to put down the cash in their areas of interest.
But that is the direction we should go, should we hope to compete in a globalised world, as well as provide solutions to hitherto strange ailments, which nevertheless have mainstreamed because of changing dietary habits and lifestyle. It is under these now common diseases that you find cancer and kidney failure, among others.
Researches need not be driven by philanthropy. It can be straight investment. Indeed, it is doubtful if the Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering had charity as its basic goal before shelling out US$ 6 million as research funding, for the project that birthed the bionic kidney. Yet, to the extent of the bionic kidney’s likely solace for those with damaged kidneys, the result is nothing but charitable.
But given the likely vast global demand for the product, the medical sciences technological sector would recoup every cent of that initial research money, aside from building a new market for patients who need succour. It is a win-win situation: the doctors provide better care, the patients to access greater comfort and the world, other things being equal, becomes a healthier place.
Indeed, a future world without dialysis is certainly an enchanting prospect. But unlike now that Nigerians — nay generally Africans — are just gross consumers of other people’s hard and creative thinking, it is time the situation changed.
But it won’t if the Federal Government doesn’t put in place sound policies that treat research as not only special but top priority. Yet, research itself is only one of the powerful boughs of a thriving tree of education. At its very root is sound investment in quality education, going back to the very basics of nursery and primary schools.
This is imperative, if Nigeria must compete with the rest of the world, and also showcase the genius of its citizens, in different fields of endeavour.