Author: Aaryaki Srivastava; Edited by: ResearchPaperGirl
Welcome to the first guest article! This one is on the medical specialisation of Regenology. Author Aaryaki Srivastava breaks down a paper advocating for its acceptance as a formal field in Medicine. As always, we recommend keeping a copy of the original paper (linked below) while using this post as a guide.
Happy studying!
Basic Information:
- Author(s): Shawn Johnson, Anthony Atala
- Date of Publication: 2018, November 9
- Journal/Publisher: Stem Cells Translational Medicine
- Link to Paper: https://doi.org/10.1002/sctm.18-0101
Main Research Question
“The paper proposes the creation of a new specialised field within biological sciences, namely, “Regenology” (Johnson and Atala, 2018, p.4).”
Essentially, the paper argues for the designation of “regenology” under its own independent field of medicine. The authors ask if it is time for the field to become a specialisation of its own.
Key Arguments and Findings
The authors spend a lot of time explaining the history of specialisations in the field of medicine itself. What is Specialisation/Speciality?
- Specialty results due to new understanding of disease or transformation of an intellectual perspective (Johnson and Atala, 2018, p.4).
- Regenerative medicine scientists and physicians recognised the necessity of formal training and scientific practices in the field and created a “foci of interest” around the subject, allowing various associated professional groups to grow (Johnson and Atala, 2018, p.4).
Here’s a breakdown of their core arguments:
| Arguments Against | Authors’ Response to Arguments Against |
| 1. Rather than creating a new specialty, existing system-specific specialists could receive training in the field and fill the role of “regenerative medicine specialist.” (Johnson & Atala, 2018. p4) | 1. It is less likely that existing organ and system-specific specialists would integrate evidence-based regenerative medicine into their existing practice framework due to requirement for competence in multiple diverse areas including but not limited to: – cellular biology, – tissue engineering, – biomaterials sciences, – pharmacology, and – biochemistry. |
| 2. The field has its share of “over-zealous practitioners and unethical offerings”, so is the timing right for specialty status? Will specialty status paradoxically increase public skepticism of the field’s merits? | 2. Leroy D. Vandam, M.D., stated that “professionalism in any field entails study with consequent progress, the teaching and recruitment of others, integration with the other branches of medicine and devotion to the kind of investigation that solves its own problems (Johnson & Atala, 2018, p. 5 )”. The concept of professionalism suggests that the time is right for us to begin considering a new specialty (Johnson & Atala, 2018, p. 5 ). |
| 3. Individuals can simply start to use the term “regenerative and cellular medicine specialists” to describe themselves, instead of a separate specialty. | 3. ‘Regenerative medicine as an applied science’, and ‘Translational Research undertaking from Regenerative Medicine as a Medical Speciality’ (Johnson & Atala, 2018, p. 5), are different from each other. |
Future hurdles to overcome, according to the authors
- defining the appropriate clinical target dosing of these treatments, whether cell, cytokine, or small molecule-based, and addressing the measurement of long-term clinical outcomes (Johnson & Atala, 2018).
- capabilities and indications of new medical technologies often trail significantly behind (Johnson & Atala, 2018) their use in actual practice.
Essentially, as (Johnson & Atala, 2018, p. 4-5) say:
Regenerative medicine
1. is a multidisciplinary field, spanning a wide range of the basic and clinical sciences and using diverse, new technologies.
2. aims to restore impaired anatomy and physiological dysfunction at the cellular, tissue, and genetic levels.
3. presents a significant shift from the goal of conventional medical therapy.
4. therapies differ from conventional therapeutics regarding their production and mode of delivery.
5. is experimentally being applied for virtually every type of tissue and organ within the human body.
6. applications include, novel therapies for patients with injuries, end-stage organ failure, or other clinical problems.
7. requires Specialists/Medical Experts.
Why Is This Paper Important?
This paper helps define the vague aspects of regenerative medicine by providing it a name in accordance with medical terminology, thus allowing it to become a specialised field in itself under biological sciences. It further provides its practitioners a specific degree and professional recognition as a Regenologist. As stem cell and regenerative medicine treatments have been commercialised and become more broadly available, it is imperative that Regenology gains its own individuality.
TLDR;
Authors believe that knowledge gained by physicians and scientists developing therapies and overseeing their testing in clinical trials, will help regenerative medicine become a specialty — naming it Regenology and its practitioners as Regenologists. Although the extent and scope of practice of a Regenologist remains to be fully determined and is sure to evolve over time, the Authors believe it is time to start defining this multidisciplinary field.
References
Johnson, S., & Atala, A. (2018). Regenology: time for a new specialty? Stem Cells Translational Medicine, 8(1), 4–6. https://doi.org/10.1002/sctm.18-0101
About The Author
Aaryaki Srivastava is a medical student who is passionate about Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. Here, she breaks down research papers on these and related topics, to ignite your interest in the field.
Connect with her at aaryakisrivastavaxa@gmail.com
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