Ethics Of Bioprinting

On average, twenty two people die every day while waiting for organ transplants. Today, there are more than 120,000 people in the United States that are waiting for organ transplants. Every ten minutes, another name is added to that list. Three-dimensional printing is a manufacturing method in which objects are made by fusing or depositing materials—such as plastic, metal, ceramics, powders, liquids, or even living cells—in layers to produce an object. The idea of 3D printers is similar to that of inkjet printers, however, the end product differs in that a 3D object is produced. One very thought provoking idea is to utilize this printing technique to produce biological organs. Imagine that it has been three years since you were placed on the …show more content…
The process has been clearly defined by biomedical engineers Lawrence Bonassar and Jonathan Butcher, who have presented their research via the Washington Post article, “How Bioprinting Works.” Before an organ can be printed, an MRI must be taken of the recipient’s organ in order to acquire the measurements for a perfect fit. This step is crucial because minimizes the chance of rejection from the recipient’s body. The next step is to draw up a blueprint of the organ, layer by layer, so the printer will know exactly where to place cells. Living cells, ideally the patient’s, are mixed with a cell-growth material, commonly referred to as collagen, that will produce a foundation for cells to multiply on. The type of cells can vary from muscle cells to blood vessel cells. After the preparation work is completed, the process of printing the organ can begin. The printer deposits the gel-like mixture of cells using a technique called cross-linking, in order for the cells to harden into the correct shape. Each layer starts off as a liquid, but the tissue needs to firm its shape before more layers can be laid. The new organ will incubate for a few weeks and testing will be conducted to make sure it works properly. Finally, the organ is complete and ready for transplantation. It is …show more content…
This technology could potentially enable doctors to cater to individual patients’ needs, rather than developing a general, communal treatment that works well for most patients with a given condition. Reagan McRae, in her journal titled The Bioethics Project, states that the key motivating factor that makes the idea of bioprinting so revolutionary, is that there won’t be a concern for people regarding the availability of an organ. Donors would no longer be a necessity in order for a transplant to occur. This could potentially create an endless supply of replacement organs. However, with that comes the risk of abuse of the transplant process. In my opinion, bioprinting would therefore require strict regulation of the intended use of the bioprinted organ and why the patient is seeking a transplant. How can doctors and transplant specialists separate the patients who genuinely need an organ as a form of treatment for an ongoing medical issue from those who are using the printed organ to merely enhance their bodies? In today’s society, where can the line between enhancement and treatment be drawn? A treatment is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as, “medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury.” Therefore, treatment implies that there is specific need in order to receive a transplant. In my opinion, qualified patients include those who need a transplant to prevent an