Under the challenge of the tremendous potential of technology progress, the gained advancement in biomedical research field aims to facilitate the creation of therapeutic alternatives for the replacement, restoration or revive of faulty, diseased or absent tissues and organs.
After decades of reproducing and research on human cells in laboratories, a great moment in medical history is marked by 3-D printing, a technology that uses computer-created digital models that are presuming it will have the ability to “spitting out something” remarkably complex and controversial as, human organs.
This technology, which is already used by the scientist to print tiny strips of organ tissue, has a usability of this manner: “scientists harvest human cells from biopsies or stem cells, then allow them to multiply in a petri dish. The resulting mixture, a sort of biological ink, is fed into a 3-D printer, which is programmed to arrange different cell types, along with other materials, into a precise three-dimensional shape. Doctors hope that when placed in the body, these 3-D-printed cells will integrate with existing tissues.”
Although 3D printing is at an early stage, at this moment the product of this technology can adjust the demand of a substitute for tissues or cartilage, the concept of constructing an organ that fully mimics the function of natural organs still remaining a challenge for years to come as the innovation holds great promises that in the future could offer the ability to build functional organs that will be compatible with human transplantation.
Considering the potential, it raises a number of ethical questions: what happens when we are able to print human organs with cells produced in the laboratory? Who will control their production? Will there be someone who will ensure their quality? Will they be affordable?
Even though these questions have been asked about previous discoveries, they have been dissipated shortly due to the extraordinary benefits they have brought, based on this consideration we will be able to take advantage of the incredible technology of 3D printed organs in the future.
3D printing has opened up exciting new avenues in regenerative medicines, offering hope to people suffering from organ failure. While 3D printing human organs and their clinical acceptance might take more time, doctors and biomedical engineers, meanwhile, are finding ways of using 3D printing technology to save lives.
References:
Mir, T. A., & Nakamura, M. (2017). Three-dimensional bioprinting: Toward the era of manufacturing human organs as spare parts for healthcare and medicine*.Tissue Engineering Part B: Reviews, 23(3), 245-256. doi:http://dx.doi.org.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/10.1089/ten.teb.2016.0398
By Brandon Griggs. (April 2014). The next frontier in 3-D printing: Human organs. CNN. Retrieved from: https://www.cnn.com/2014/04/03/tech/innovation/3-d-printing-human-organs/index.html
Matthew Shaer. (May 2015). Soon, Your Doctor Could Print a Human Organ on Demand. Smithsonian magazine. Retrieved from: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/soon-doctor-print-human-organ-on-demand-180954951/
Aditya Runthala. (January 2018). How 3D printing human organs can give you a new face. Chizel’s blogs. Retrieved from: http://resource.chizel.io/2018/01/23/how-3d-printing-human-organs-can-give-you-a-new-face/
After decades of reproducing and research on human cells in laboratories, a great moment in medical history is marked by 3-D printing, a technology that uses computer-created digital models that are presuming it will have the ability to “spitting out something” remarkably complex and controversial as, human organs.
This technology, which is already used by the scientist to print tiny strips of organ tissue, has a usability of this manner: “scientists harvest human cells from biopsies or stem cells, then allow them to multiply in a petri dish. The resulting mixture, a sort of biological ink, is fed into a 3-D printer, which is programmed to arrange different cell types, along with other materials, into a precise three-dimensional shape. Doctors hope that when placed in the body, these 3-D-printed cells will integrate with existing tissues.”
Although 3D printing is at an early stage, at this moment the product of this technology can adjust the demand of a substitute for tissues or cartilage, the concept of constructing an organ that fully mimics the function of natural organs still remaining a challenge for years to come as the innovation holds great promises that in the future could offer the ability to build functional organs that will be compatible with human transplantation.
Considering the potential, it raises a number of ethical questions: what happens when we are able to print human organs with cells produced in the laboratory? Who will control their production? Will there be someone who will ensure their quality? Will they be affordable?
Even though these questions have been asked about previous discoveries, they have been dissipated shortly due to the extraordinary benefits they have brought, based on this consideration we will be able to take advantage of the incredible technology of 3D printed organs in the future.
3D printing has opened up exciting new avenues in regenerative medicines, offering hope to people suffering from organ failure. While 3D printing human organs and their clinical acceptance might take more time, doctors and biomedical engineers, meanwhile, are finding ways of using 3D printing technology to save lives.
References:
Mir, T. A., & Nakamura, M. (2017). Three-dimensional bioprinting: Toward the era of manufacturing human organs as spare parts for healthcare and medicine*.Tissue Engineering Part B: Reviews, 23(3), 245-256. doi:http://dx.doi.org.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/10.1089/ten.teb.2016.0398
By Brandon Griggs. (April 2014). The next frontier in 3-D printing: Human organs. CNN. Retrieved from: https://www.cnn.com/2014/04/03/tech/innovation/3-d-printing-human-organs/index.html
Matthew Shaer. (May 2015). Soon, Your Doctor Could Print a Human Organ on Demand. Smithsonian magazine. Retrieved from: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/soon-doctor-print-human-organ-on-demand-180954951/
Aditya Runthala. (January 2018). How 3D printing human organs can give you a new face. Chizel’s blogs. Retrieved from: http://resource.chizel.io/2018/01/23/how-3d-printing-human-organs-can-give-you-a-new-face/