Biomedical materials are used in the pursuit of a disease-free life through organ transplantation and replacement, and include a variety of materials such as polymers, metals, and ceramics. With their biocompatibility and physical properties, these materials can replace or complement damaged tissues in the human body to extend life and contribute to medical innovation through personalized medicine and the development of artificial organs.
Advances in biomedical materials are not just limited to improving medical technology, but have the potential to transform society as a whole. One of the most prominent changes is reducing the burden of healthcare costs in an aging society. As life expectancy increases, the proportion of older adults in the population is rising rapidly, and with it, the demand for healthcare for chronic and age-related diseases. However, advances in biomedical materials are enabling the replacement and regeneration of human organs, reducing the incidence of diseases associated with aging and providing more efficient healthcare services than traditional treatment methods. This, in turn, can lead to lower healthcare costs, which can have a positive impact on a country’s economy.
Advances in biomedical materials are also increasing the potential for personalized medicine. Moving away from standardized medical treatments, we are on the verge of personalizing treatments to reflect each individual’s genetic and physiological characteristics to achieve optimal outcomes for each patient. For example, biomaterials are being developed based on the genetic information of specific patients to prevent or treat certain diseases. This could be a major paradigm shift in healthcare, enabling personalized healthcare tailored to each patient’s condition and characteristics.
Furthermore, advances in biomaterials can also contribute to solving the shortage of transplantable organs. Currently, many patients around the world are in need of organ transplants, but the number of donors is not keeping pace. As a result, many patients die waiting for a transplant and do not receive treatment in a timely manner. However, with further advances in artificial organ and tissue engineering, organs can be provided to patients in need in a timely manner without relying on organ donors. This would be a major breakthrough that would not only reduce the waiting time for organ transplants, but also maximize the efficiency of the healthcare system in the long run.
These technologies are further leading to the development of ‘smart biomaterials’. Smart biomaterials are materials that can react to changes in the external environment to perform certain functions. For example, it will be possible to build systems that can detect changes in the body’s pH, temperature, or the secretion of certain enzymes and release drugs or perform necessary treatments automatically. This is expected to greatly improve the quality of life for patients by allowing them to receive optimal treatment that automatically adapts to their body’s environment without having to manage the treatment process.
On the other hand, ethical issues are also becoming an important consideration in the development of biomaterials. In particular, the development of artificial organs and genetically customized materials is closely related to bioethics beyond the realm of medicine. The expanding use of artificial organs has sparked debates about extending human life, raising important questions about the extent to which science and technology can manipulate human life. Some have raised concerns that technological advances could compromise the essence of humanity, and others have called for consideration of quality of life and ethical responsibility, not just life extension.
In conclusion, biomedical materials are more than just a technological innovation, they are playing a key role in fundamentally changing human life and shifting the paradigm of the healthcare system. The pace of progress is remarkable, and the coming years will bring even more innovative research findings that will contribute significantly to human health and well-being. However, to ensure that these technological advancements are moving in the right direction, ethical and social discussions must also take place. We need to ensure that technology is used in a way that not only extends human life, but also enables us to live better lives.
Therefore, the field of biomedical materials is expected to have a wide range of applications in the future, and researchers will need to conduct responsible research and development to ensure that the advancement of these technologies is balanced with the well-being of humanity as a whole.
