We Can Print You: Biotech Organ Printing

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Need a new kidney? They’re on special today. Or how about a heart? We can print you out a new one in a jiffy. Science fiction? Not really. Biotechnology is moving so fast the mainstream media can barely keep up with it despite their far flung networks.

“Attention, your new ear is ready…”

Labs across the world are competing to create new life, patent new lifeforms, improve human biology and even redesign old-fashioned human beings.

Is it time to create a new human race?

Some biotechnologists want to create a whole new human race [See: Futurist: Biotech will create new human race] while others have more modest ambitions like simply being able to print out any body part you might require on demand. [See: How an amazing new medical machine will print organs]

Manufactured, 3D printed human blood vessel

The 3D bioprinting revolution

Over the past couple years 3D printing advances have sped forward almost exponentially. It’s now entered territory that once was science fiction. Proponents claim soon almost anything a potential customer might desire will be printed: body parts, clothes, food, furniture, toys, musical instrument…you name it.

Printing a 3D tooth layer by layer

The technology already exists to print out human cells, tissue, blood vessels and rudimentary organs. In fact, at a recent TED (Technology and Entertainment Design) conference Dr. Anthony Atala printed a 3D kidney for the amazed audience.

Dr. Atala prints a kidney onstage at TED conference

The advancement is truly revolutionary. What started as an industrial method of creating 3D models with plastics using advanced CAD computer programs has morphed into the field of biotech in a truly stunning way.

Close-up of Dr. Atala’s bioengineered 3D kidney

And the advantages are easy to see, among them the ability to avoid a patient’s immune system rejection of transplanted tissues or organs. Because the 3D printing process uses the patient’s own DNA and is customed-tailored on a case-by-case basis, there’s no possibility of rejection.

A new fingertip printed to exacting specifications

Brave new body

The process itself, while simple, is remarkable. Cells are taken from the body and then replicated by computer scanning and the 3D process. One thin layer of cells are built upon another like bricks building a wall. The “mortar” is a thin layer of specially formulated bio-paper gel that is sandwiched between each successive cellular layer.

3D printing process of human tissue

After the intricate biostructure is complete—and the skin, bone, blood vessel or organ is ready—the gel evaporates and the cells fuse into one complete structure ready for implantation.

Bioprinted 3D heart awaiting transplant

The dark side of the Force

What about multiple 3D printed copies of you?

Like anything invented by humans, something can be used for good or bad. The dangers of this technology in years to come could be applications that scan and steal a person’s DNA, patent certain body parts, or even replicate an entire person—except the brain.

Replicants can just be printed [Blade Runner]

Although theoretically the human brain and central nervous system cannot (or will not) be 3D printed, who can guarantee that? Who can guarantee the actions of future generations or future individuals? Who can guarantee that replicant armies won’t be printed out at the demand of some 22nd Century tyrant?

No one can guarantee that.

Is your lover real, or a printed copy?

As science fiction becomes science fact, millions may be helped and saved by this amazing new technology.

On the other hand, used recklessly, millions might be enslaved…

Read my exciting NEW book ‘MYSTERIES OF THE MULTIVERSE’ learn more now – click here

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