China: the artificial organ factory of tomorrow

Two mice with human ears grown on their backs by Dr. Cao Yilin

From the Danwei-inspired Shanghai Daily:

Cao Yilin, the first scientist who grew an ear in the shape of the human appendage on a mouse in 1994, is applying his research to people and predicts significant results next year…

…”Theoretically, tissue engineering can be used to grow both inner organs and tissues like bone, skin and joints,” said Cao, director of Shanghai Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering located at Shanghai No. 9 People’s Hospital…

…The National Tissue Engineering Center and a hospital specializing in clinical use of the science will be established in Shanghai’s Minhang District next year. The cost will hit 120 million yuan (US$14.81 million)…

…”We have succeeded in more than 40 cases in building patients’ defective skulls, jawbones and arm bones in the past four years.” said Cao.

According to Cao, he chose the ear as his subject because it is a soft organ and similar to the material found around the body’s joints, the next target of his research.

You Nexus huh? I design your eyes

Unrelated, but also of interest in today’s Shanghai daily — a report translated from a Chongqing newspaper: Free condoms for males and their boyfriends:

Male homosexuals in Chongqing Municipality will be given condoms for free to protect them from AIDS, a Chongqing newspaper reported today.

The municipal disease control center, in cooperation with a condom manufacturer, is offering 30,000 free condoms to gay couples, with the aim of containing the spread of AIDS. Male homosexuals are estimated to account for 6 percent of the city’s male population, the newspaper said.

All the condoms to be provided have been checked and approved by the state health and pharmaceutical authorities. The condoms to be handed out to Chongqing’s homosexuals are of extra thickness and smoothness.