Hey all! So, for my article this week, I decided on spreading the word about some research I've been doing on 3D printing. Yes, we all have seen the 30-second clips of the 3D pancake maker, but does everyone REALLY know what 3D printing is all about? The 700 million dollar industry right now is booming and most people have no clue what it does.
3D printers can make basically anything. It uses a base, like metals, plastics, cells, pancake mix, etc. to print 3D objects (like ink in a printer.. duh). Then the stuff is made into droplets, and is hardened in one layer, then another layer on top, then another layer on top (you get the point). You want a life-sized plastic carrot? Put it on a program on the computer and you're gonna get it. You want a plastic cardboard cutout of James Franco? Bring it on.
In all seriousness though, 3D printing is specifically making strides in the medical industry. They can literally personalize spinal braces, braces for your teeth, and plastic prosthetics for you. Yes YOU can get your own personalized braces. And with only a one time payment of $60 dollars a month (I'm being serious. Look up the kid who made his own braces)
According to Dr. Oren Tepper, (citation so I don't get arrested), the 3D printer has been incredibly innovative in regards to his work in craniofacial surgery. He found himself making a personalized jaw for an infant girl. With complications, the surgery would have cost a ton of money and would have been difficult due to bone grafting. Tepper himself states, “You could try to do such a complex surgery without virtual modeling, and without 3-D printing. But it would be much more challenging, much more risky, with much more opportunity to fail.”
Now this stuff is cool and all, but I want all of you to direct your attention to something else in the medical industry. Have any of you had a friend or loved one in need of an organ transplant? Odds are you definitely know SOMEONE. Every day, 79 people get organ transplants. However, did you know 22 people die every day because of the lack of availability of organs? Yes, I'm telling you to become an organ donor. Stop reading and go do it NOW.
Now in regards to 3D printing, this is where I want you to pay extra attention. Right now, it sounds like the 3D printer is a gift from God (or Satan if you think this stuff is crazy AF). Apparently, we're 20 years away from PRINTING AN ACTUAL WORKING ORGAN. A 3D printer can legit take your own cells and print tissue out of it. This is a big deal guys. For all you non-science people, foreign cells usually get rejected from your body. Your immune system is basically saying "GTFO". With this 3D printer hoopla, your body won't reject it, and the tissue will aid in healing. Organs (a collection of tissue) can be made with 3D printers now, but they're basically a skeleton. A misleading TED talk (image below) showed surgeon Anthony Atala with a working liver in his hand. He should have said jk because that was definitely not the case. They can't actually put it in your body yet. Researchers are still trying to layer different kinds of cells to make it function right. Although, I think it would be pretty cool to just have a fake cell heart thing sitting in a container on your desk.
Like I said, we're 20 years or so away from this stuff happening. We have a problem. There's something going on. We have to tell people about this. We need to spread the word about 3D printing, because it's an emerging technology that will probably affect all our lives in a couple of years (much like our phones). I mean, look at this chart ( courtesy of here) right now:
Do you see this, bruh? Can you imagine what 3D printers could do? We would be able to make personalized hearts and livers catered to an individual. Oh you have heart disease? Please pick a heart! "This one is too veiny." "This one is too red!" Yes, we'll be window shopping organs. That ugly chart would basically disappear. No more waiting in line. Just step right up and pick an organ! According to the United Network of Organ Sharing, one organ donor can save 8 lives. However, when 3D printing IS able to create a working organ, it'll be a simple as 1(heart), 2 (lungs), 3 (testicles). LOL. But seriously.
This is VERY important stuff. Whether you're personally affected by this problem or not, others are (so stop thinking about yourself). If you can, share this information with friends, family, and your dog. We aren't right around the corner with solving this issue, but letting those struggling with this will at least gain hope in their fight. In 2014, 29,532 people received organ transplants. In 2013, 121,272 people were waiting for one. In 2036, with further development of the 3D printer, no one will be waiting. Put on your coat babe. I'm printing (shopping) for a new set of lungs.
