The Pros And Cons Of 3-D Organ Printing

Obstacles and concerns that come along with the ability of 3-D organ printing are the cost, effectiveness, and safety. Not only do the machines themselves cost up to millions of dollars, but think about the cost the patient is going to be responsible for. What happens if your not able to afford the cost of a 3-D printed organ? Does that mean only the wealthy will benefit from this advancement? In one of my articles I read about 3-D printing was; in 2001 there was a 3-D printer called the BioAssembly Tool, or BAT, that was build for about $400,000. And in the past 6 months it was estimated to cost about $100,000 for the total bioficial heart, not including surgery or hospital costs. You also have to think about the amount of electricity it takes for the machine to operate. Since 3-D printing uses the patients cells and builds tissues to fit the patient perfectly, the typical fear of the body rejecting the organ compared to the human organ no longer exists. The safety of 3-D is some what unknown as of now because this is such a new idea and more research needs to be done before it is perfected. You

I would hope that if you are able to receive a 3-d organ due to reckless behavior or some sort, than after the recipient would cherish their new health and not take advantage of a new organ being available again. An alcoholic for example; just because you know a new lung will be available for printing does that mean you should just become an alcoholic an heavy drinker and continue those ways even after the bio-printed organ is implanted? And then be able to just get another one over and over and never quit drinking? No that just doesn't seem fair even though it would just be available and more convenient than waiting on the transplant list for years, and still not ever receiving an