Each year, millions of people all over the world lose the larynx, their voice box due to cancer or trauma. When the larynx is removed through a procedure called laryngectomy, the patient is left with a permanent breathing hole in the neck. Since larynx creates and controls sound through muscle and cartilage interaction with the vocal chords, restoring this function through medical intervention is a difficult task.

As of now, the only alternatives available are installation of artificial voice through a vibrating machine that is placed in the throat or placement of a small device in a permanent breathing hole in the neck which can be activated by putting the finger over the hole. This however does not restore the natural voice of the patient. Surgeons have so far, not been able to go beyond this.

With the evolution of stem sell technology, many believe that we have found new hope. There is a possibility that stem cell technology could make it possible for medical researchers to develop a voice box for transplantation. However, there are many challenges that need to be overcome. Scientists need to find a technique of creating muscle through stem cells as the voice box is a moving object which needs to be coordinated with breathing. In addition to wide pipe tissues, scientists also have to create the cartilage and the epithelium.

This possibility has raised several ethical questions. Since voice transplantation is not a life-saving, it is necessary to weigh the benefits and the risks involved in conducting this surgery. Till date, the general opinion was that the procedure was not worth the risk. But today, due to advanced technologies, it is possible to revisit the case and work on turning this hope into reality. This task has the support of many patients who have lost their voices and are deprived of a faculty that let them speak, shout and sing. More details one can check out the source article.