Lennert van Gestel
The good
New 3-D bioprinters are already capable of printing out everything from dental fixtures and prosthetic limbs to custom hearing aids. Researchers at Wake Forest have just proven, as the latest proof of concept, that it’s theoretically possible to print out human cartilage for implants, an important next step on the path to printing complex human tissue and even human organs.
Imagine being able to print new organs to replace your malfunction or old ones. Printing a new heart could mean a substantial increase in the average age people die. People can grow older and healthier by replacing limbs, muscles and organs. But would these people still be people. A very philosophical question is what makes a person a human being. Would you consider a person with a body that is for 80% “build” out of stuff from a 3D printer a human being?
The bad
The market for commercial 3D printers is not yet very developed, but I believe within 10 years a lot of people will have a 3D printer at home. They can print whatever they like and unfortunately no all people will have good intentions with what they print. In 2013 one of the first successful handguns were printed and now there are even working automatic assault rifles made from plastic. Imagine people printing these weapons at home. In the most states in the US there is a “gun culture”. By this I mean they consider it normal to have a gun at home for safety measures. Of course there is a strict gun registration system now but what happens if all these people decide to print their own guns? Even a more concerning thing is the ability for gangs and drugs cartels to print weapons. There are a lot of illegal firearms in the US, but these are hard to get. Printing weapons is easy if you purchase a good 3D printer. I wonder if there are already measures being taken to prevent bad people using the 3D printer for the wrong reasons.
The ugly
There are concerns that 3D printers could disrupt complete industries. Especially products that are built from plastic will be the first that can be homemade with a 3D printer. Think about how much products you have at home that are built from plastic. You can built custom made stuff for yourself in your own garage. Since you only need a template of a product it’s easy to use one from the internet. Designers will create lots of templates of products that you can download from the internet. Press print and you have all the toys you want!
Plastic waste is already a huge issue. If new forms of plastic are create for 3D printing the pile of plastic in the oceans will further increase. Therefore I think it’s a must that 3D printers use recycled plastic. It would be wonderful if we take all the plastic out of the ocean for 3D printing material. Of course we then have to make sure the printed products are also recycled after their use.
It is hard to predict the future of 3D printing, but I hope the innovators consider all kinds of scenario’s to make their innovation responsible. I think it would be a could idea to give 3D printer producers some kind of accountability for the stuff people print with their products. This will hopefully give them the incentive to make the 3D printer a responsible innovation.