# Doctors implant lab-grown vagina **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 11, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892 "2014-04-11T18:44:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/1 "2014-04-11T18:44:36Z")
I checked for multiple cites before posting this incredible story. All jokes aside, the progress of stem cell research is amazing. I’m looking forward to the day when amputees will be unknown in society. I think it will become possible eventually. Wow, where to begin. This story seems so far fetched, it shows that stem cell research is advancing quickly. I heartily concur. > [@](#): > > He said a functioning vagina was a “very important thing” for these women’s lives and witnessing the difference it made to them “was very rewarding to see”. > **[Lab-Grown Private Parts: Vagina Implants Cure Rare Disorder](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/lab-grown-private-parts-vagina-implants-cure-rare-disorder-n77136)** > > Four teens born without vaginas have gained full function after scientists implanted new laboratory-grown organs created from the patients’ own cells. > **[Creating body parts in a lab: ‘Things are happening now’ | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2014/04/10/health/tissue-engineering-success/)** > > Scientists grew reproductive organs and nasal cartilage in labs, and later successfully implanted them in patients, according to two studies released Thursday. > **[Doctors implant lab-grown vagina](https://www.bbc.com/news/health-26885335)** > > Four women have had new vaginas grown in the laboratory and implanted by doctors in the US. > [@](#): > > Doctors at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre in North Carolina used pioneering technology to build vaginas for the four women who were all in their teenage years at the time. > > Scans of the pelvic region were used to design a tube-like 3D-scaffold for each patient. > > A small tissue biopsy was taken from the poorly developed vulva and grown to create a large batch of cells in the laboratory. > > Muscle cells were attached to the outside of the scaffold and vaginal-lining cells to the inside. > > The vaginas were carefully grown in a bioreactor until they were suitable to be surgically implanted into the patients. > > One of the women with an implanted vagina, who wished to keep her name anonymous, said: "I believe in the beginning when you find out you feel different. > > "I mean while you are living the process, you are seeing the possibilities you have and all the changes you’ll go through. > > “Truly I feel very fortunate because I have a normal life, completely normal.” ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/2 "2014-04-11T18:46:22Z")
This is going to be a fun thread. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/3 "2014-04-11T18:52:08Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > This is going to be a fun thread. Given the male-centricity of medicine, I’m surprised that the research isn’t on how to grow replacement penises… in extended lengths, of course. Then again, given the male-centricity of medicine… I guess this is exactly where the field would choose to start. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/4 "2014-04-11T18:55:46Z")
I read earlier this morning about lab grown [vaginas, nostrils](http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/vaginas-nostrils-latest-successes-in-lab-grown-body-parts-1.2606548). Is it wrong that the first thing that crossed my mind was hey baby do you like nasal? ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/5 "2014-04-11T18:59:02Z")
So… these gonna be available on the open market any time soon? I ask for a co-worker. Honest. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/6 "2014-04-11T19:02:00Z")
My first thought was what about growing kidneys, livers, and most importantly, hearts? But research into growing soft tissue is an early step. They’ve grown noses, ears, and yes, now vaginas. Interesting article on the research being done. > **[Ears, noses grown from stem cells in lab dishes](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ears-noses-grown-from-stem-cells-in-petri-dishes/)** > > British scientists are growing noses, ears, tear ducts and blood vessels in the laboratory in a bold attempt to make body parts using stem cells Hopefully the day of replacement kidneys isn’t too far away. The donor organ banks are over whelmed with people in need. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/7 "2014-04-11T19:44:19Z")
Lab-grown vaginas? That’ll put the Fleshlight people right out of business. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/8 "2014-04-11T19:49:37Z")
> [@](#): > > The vaginas were carefully grown in a bioreactor until they were suitable to be surgically implanted into the patients. Man, we are going to get some _epic_ movies out of this. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/9 "2014-04-11T19:51:21Z")
My (uneducated) guess is that growing _tissue_ is a lot easier than growing _organs._ This makes lab-grown vaginas and noses a lot less remarkable than kidneys or hearts. Although I might be interested in a few new brain cells… ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/10 "2014-04-11T19:56:08Z")
So I guess this is equally applicable to ladies who have had traumatic injuries and need replacements? And from a purely market-oriented aspect, could a wealthy lady get a “better” replacement? That is, one that is younger and healthier. It may be a joke now, but considering the types of procedures ladies opt for now it’s hardly inconceivable (so to speak). It also opens up the idea of home-grown replacements precluding transplants. Why wait years for a possible organ donor to be available when they can grow you a new one in less time? Imagine people with high-quality rated organs making a living by donating cells for growing “super” hearts, kidneys and such every few months. They wouldn’t be a match for everyone but if even a few matches were found, it could be a whole new supply of needed organs. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/11 "2014-04-11T20:21:01Z")
“I believe we have what you’re looking for in the other room …in a jar labeled “V”” – “Once Upon Clarissa” in issue #1 of the Warren magazine **1984**. > **[1984 Magazine (Warren Publishing) Issue #1 : Free Download, Borrow, and...](https://archive.org/details/1984-warren-01)** ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/12 "2014-04-11T20:34:28Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > My first thought was what about growing kidneys, livers, and most importantly, hearts? But research into growing soft tissue is an early step. They’ve grown noses, ears, and yes, now vaginas. Interesting article on the research being done. > [Ears, noses grown from stem cells in lab dishes - CBS News](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ears-noses-grown-from-stem-cells-in-petri-dishes/) > > Hopefully the day of replacement kidneys isn’t too far away. The donor organ banks are over whelmed with people in need. I would like to reserve a new pancreas… ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/13 "2014-04-11T21:08:41Z")
Think they could grow me some new teeth? And properly-working eyes? Just think what’ll happen when they can _improve_ on things! “I want _better_ eyes. Ultraviolet and infrared for a start. And a smarter brain. And stronger muscles. And less bald…” ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/14 "2014-04-11T21:42:47Z")
A poorly trained lab tech could swab the throat for the cells. Yielding the world’s first talking vagina. 😃 [I saw that movie in the 70’s at a drive in.](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075830/) ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/15 "2014-04-11T21:57:21Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Man, we are going to get some _epic_ movies out of this. “I just wanted to help people.” “No, you wanted to play _God_.” “Both of you, we don’t have time for this! It’s headed for the city!” ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Stilettos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@Red\_Stilettos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Stilettos)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/16 "2014-04-11T22:10:46Z")
Scientific nitpick: this process does not use stem cells. The scaffoldings were seeded with already differentiated muscle and epithelial cells. We are still a good ways away from lab grown organs. This basically replaced structure. A functioning heart, lung or kidney is much more complex, with many more cell types working in concert to achieve a desired outcome. At a very basic level, all these vaginal cells have to do is survive. They aren’t responsible for generating a heartbeat or oxygenating blood or digesting food. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2014, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/17 "2014-04-11T23:55:17Z")
> [@armedmonkey](#): > > “I just wanted to help people.” > “No, you wanted to play _God_.” > “Both of you, we don’t have time for this! It’s headed for the city!” “He tampered in God’s domain”. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2014, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/18 "2014-04-12T00:02:10Z")
Wake Forest has been doing this kind of stuff for a long time. The first thing I heard about were [new bladders](http://www.wakehealth.edu/News-Releases/2006/Wake_Forest_Physician_Reports_First_Human_Recipients_of_Laboratory-Grown_Organs.htm), engineered from the patient’s own cells. [Here’s a list of their ongoing projects](http://www.wakehealth.edu/Research/WFIRM/Projects/Replacement-Organs-and-Tissue.htm). A liver is on the list. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2014, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/19 "2014-04-12T00:10:18Z")
On a serious note, I wonder if this would have an impact on gender reassignment surgery. Could genetically male stem cell make a vagina? Maybe by replacing the X with a Y, preferabbly from the father’s cells. Could it make penises for transwomen? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2014, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892/20 "2014-04-12T00:12:50Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Think they could grow me some new teeth? And properly-working eyes? … in your vagina? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctors-implant-lab-grown-vagina/685892.md?page=2)