American scientist are working on research that some say could one day end the transplant waiting list. The research involves scientists freezing organs and transplanting them months later. "Normally organs stored under such conditions sustain irreparable damage to the tissue and do not function after thawing," said Dr. Luis Toledo, transplant surgeon.
 
Currently, donor organs such as hearts, livers and kidneys must be transplanted within hours because of the rate at which their cells die. Previous attempts to freeze organs have failed because the process damages cell structure. Researchers say this new approach could save the lives of thousands of people waiting on a new organ. More research needs to be done before scientist test this new method on humans. 

This article originally appeared in the August 2008 issue of Kidney Transplant Today.