Get inspired by this Museum of Failure!
The newly opened 'Museum of Failure' in Sweden on failed innovations is a lesson in embracing your errors
Curated By: Madhu Kapparath
Synthetic Trachea
2011-2013
The surgeon Paolo Macchiarini pioneered a new regenerative surgery using a synthetic trachea (windpipe) combined with the patient’s own stem cells. The revolutionary transplants were described as very successful. Macchiarini became a superstar surgeon, and the prestigious Karolinska Institute in Sweden got massive global attention. But everything ended in a huge tragedy. The plastic trachea did not work. They caused enormous suffering and the patients died. Karolinska grossly neglected the necessary research on humans, ethical issues and patient safety. Any concerns raised about this new, exciting technology were ignored. Since Macchiarini had received large research grants from the EU, more patients were put on the operating table. The scandal has cost many people their lives and seriously damaged confidence in Swedish clinical research.
2011-2013
The surgeon Paolo Macchiarini pioneered a new regenerative surgery using a synthetic trachea (windpipe) combined with the patient’s own stem cells. The revolutionary transplants were described as very successful. Macchiarini became a superstar surgeon, and the prestigious Karolinska Institute in Sweden got massive global attention. But everything ended in a huge tragedy. The plastic trachea did not work. They caused enormous suffering and the patients died. Karolinska grossly neglected the necessary research on humans, ethical issues and patient safety. Any concerns raised about this new, exciting technology were ignored. Since Macchiarini had received large research grants from the EU, more patients were put on the operating table. The scandal has cost many people their lives and seriously damaged confidence in Swedish clinical research.
