02 October 2009

Transplant facts

Interesting fact: Identical twin transplant recipients do not need immunosuppression.

Another interesting fact: The first dialysis machine was made out of sausage casings and a bathtub. (picture)

Health disparities fact: While ethnicity is not a match criteria for organ transplant, blood type is. Caucasians (who form the majority of donors) tend to be O & A blood types. African Americans, who have the highest need (for kidneys) have a much higher incidence of type B blood. (source: http://www.bloodbook.com/world-abo.html)

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