Are Researchers Ready to Create 3D Printed Organs by Next Year?

You might say that it is too early to think of creating 3D printed version of human organs. However, knowing that bioprinting can somehow save the lives of many people, you cannot blame why the world is so excited for bioprinting organs. With the continuous development of bioprinting and 3D printing, it will no longer be impossible for humans to 3D print their organs. The only question here is who will be the first one who will create 3D printed organ that can be transplanted right away?

Why Researchers are Interested with Bioprinting Organs

You might be wondering why researchers are so motivated to do the work. Aside from the fact the bioprinting organ can make a history, this can also save the lives of thousands of patients from all over the world who need to undergo an organ transplant because they can no longer endure the pain. They will no longer have to wait for a donor that usually take years or worst they might die before that day comes.

Researchers from the University of Texas San Antonio believed that they might be the ones who are near the finish line of making a great breakthrough in bioprinting. The idea of saving the lives of people is already a reward for them wherein they will serve as a medium to show people that 3D printing organs are possible.

The Benefits of Bioprinting Human Organs

Surgeons and doctors know how these patients suffer from extreme pain everyday which is why they are looking forward to finally get up someday without feeling this pain. One of these patients is Melissa Ann Padilla who is from San Antonio. She was already suffering from her condition from the time that she was born. But unlike other patients who failed to find a kidney donor, Padilla found her match because a family member had donated a kidney.

Because not all patients can easily find a donor, it can be of a great help if ever that bioprinting organ will be implemented. According to Dr. Tejada, with the EnvisionTec 3D printer of the biomedical engineering department in UTSA, they might provide the expected change that patients need. This bioprinter is only available at a limited number maybe around ten that can be purchased for $200,000. It is capable of producing cells and tissues with the use of bio-ink that should keep on living once they have been 3D printed.

The good news is that Guda sees the regeneration of bones and muscle tissues will become possible by next year. Though this can be a long process, Dr. Guda expects that he can come up with 3D printed organs that he can use for human transplant.

Using the cells that were produced through bioprinting gives hope to people that sooner they can come up with a 3D printed organ. Patients will no longer have to think of undergoing dialysis everyday that can be very expensive. There are already lots of stories about bioprinting but the opportunity of creating 3D printed version of human organs is a big step towards preserving the lives of mankind that will benefit those patients who are in need of an organ transplant.

Source: WFAA8

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Recent Comments

Ronnie Hoekstra (Friesland, Holland) June 3, 2016 at 6:31 am

Er komt straks een spanningsveld tussen de medische industrie en de rest van de wereld.

Bedenk wel dat, als dit eenmaal mogelijk is, er een revolutie door de gezondheidszorg gaat. Een heel groot gedeelte van de patiënten zal nooit meer een ziekenhuis zien of zullen er heel erg kort verblijven.
Dat betekend dat er een veldslag in het personeelsbestand zal plaatsvinden, veel ziekenhuizen kunnen gaan sluiten. Ik denk dat het een kwestie van geld wordt, tussen mensen genezen of dood laten gaan en dat deze mensen liever voor hun baan kiezen dan voor een mensenleven. Daarom denk ik dat deze technieken er nooit echt zullen komen. Laten we hopen dat het niet zover komt, maar ik vrees met grote vreze.

PS. Ik ben ook een wachtende.

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