Transplantation

The history of solid organ transplantation is traced from its beginnings in the 19th century to the beginning of the 21st century. Surgical techniques , advances in immunology, and a review of major immunosuppressive milestone s are reviewed, Over the last 50 years, transplantation has moved from expe rimental to accepted clinical therapy. The technology of transplantation ha s been widely disseminated throughout the United States. This paper reviews the major ethical and social problems that still need to be addressed in r egards to transplantation. These include organ supply, organ distribution, access to care, funding, and xenotransplantation. (C) 2000 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.