Desafíos para la implementación clínica de productos de ingeniería de tejidos en latinoamérica

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) approaches use scaffolds, cells and growth factors, alone or combined, to promote repair or regeneration of tissue that has been injured or lost. Major advances in TERM research and translation have been made in developed countries although the health problems that TERM-based therapies solve prevail in developing regions like ours. Therefore, identifying the challenges faced by Latin American scientists working in the field becomes a priority. The aim of this chapter was to survey research groups, clinical translation initiatives, TERM products manufactured locally and cord blood banks found in the region. The survey carried out indicates that TERM development in the region demands training of human resources and the increase of financial support. This effort must be made despite their high cost, because implementation of TERM technologies can have a good impact in the health systems of the Latin American countries.