The human body; it begins as a single cell and grows into a complex machine composed of seventy-eight distinct organs, two hundred and six bones, and millions of nerves that all communicate with each other to regulate bodily processes and keep the machine alive and healthy . This seemingly perfect system endures countless attacks every day and manages to recover from them, even if sometimes it fails. Diseases such as cystic fibrosis and coronary heart disease, or abnormalities and defects such as biliary atresia, can all disrupt the function of human organs (“Transplant Australia”, nd ). Fortunately, thanks to radical advances in modern medicine, organ transplants are a safe and highly viable option for restoring perfect harmony to the human body. Regardless of the reason for organ failure, once it occurs, the patient's journey to obtaining a new organ begins. Through the organ matching, the process and the complications that arise from it, the ethical questions and the testing of new advances, the journey is long. Organ donations can come from living or deceased patients. Living transplants are often performed from one family member to another and include donations of kidneys, parts of lungs and livers, small intestines, and some tissue donations (“Organ Transplant-Overview,” n.d.) . Donations from deceased patients occur after the donor has been classified as neurologically dead, and organs are therefore available for transplant to patients on the donor list. Neurological death is the accumulation of blood or fluid in the brain cavity, increasing intercranial pressure and limiting the flow of oxygen to the brain (Olson, 2002). Once the brain loses its oxygen supply, it dies. Unlike other organs, such as the heart, the brain cannot...... middle of paper ....... The transplant problem | 5 discoveries that will change the future of organ transplants. Time. Retrieved from http://healthland.time.com/2013/06/06/5-discoveries-that-will-change-the-future-of-organ-transplants/slide/the-problem-with-transplants/Stiller, CR and Stiller, B. (1990). Gifts of Life: The True Story of Organ Transplants. Toronto, Canada: Stoddart. Suchetka, D. (August 19, 2012). “Phantom Heart,” a framework for growing new human hearts, could be an answer for thousands of people waiting for a new heart. cleveland.com. Retrieved from http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2012/08/ghost_heart_a_framework_for_gr.htmlSupport for Families. (nd). Trillium Gift of Life Network. Retrieved from http://www.giftoflife.on.ca/en/donorsupport.htmTransplant Australia. (nd). AU transplantation. Retrieved from http://www.transplant.org.au/Why-people-need-transplants.html