The number of people needing donor organs continues to grow — but there simply aren't enough to meet demand. Could the future of transplant medicine lie in the laboratory? This arte documentary offers a fascinating look at the latest breakthroughs in artificial organs and artificial hearts, with insights from Germany, Japan, and Sweden.
The documentary “A Heart on Demand?” by Marcus Fitsch explores one of modern medicine’s most urgent challenges: How can we overcome the shortage of donor organs?

The film follows groundbreaking research projects in Germany, Japan, and Sweden — including work at Berlin’s Charité and Japan’s renowned Riken Institute. Scientists there aren’t just modifying existing organs — they’re creating them entirely in the lab, custom-built and in scalable quantities. From miniature kidneys grown from stem cells to liver cells tested in animal models, and even the vision of a fully functional artificial heart, the documentary dives deep into the innovations shaping the future. Ethical questions are also front and center: What does it mean to manufacture human organs? And just how close are we to a true revolution in transplant medicine?

This is a rich, informative, and visually striking documentary that reveals how science and technology are coming together to redefine the future of healthcare.