When thinking of a topic to write about, I thought of the influence of technology on healthcare. Where are we and where is it going? Technology offers endless opportunities in healthcare. Nevertheless, at this moment there are 1298 citizens waiting for an organ in the Netherlands (NTS, 2022). Besides the 1298 citizens waiting for organs, there is a lack of stem cell donors. (RTL Nieuws, 2021). What technology could change this? Could 3D printing be the solution? 3D printing “enables to fabricate complex customized architectures through computer-aided design and spatial deposition of materials layer-by-layer” (Mao et al., 2020, p. 1).
3D printing is already used to print i.e., knees and implants. Yet, 3D printing of organs and stem cells remains something for the future. The printing of live tissue is also referred to as bioprinting (biological materials are used for the printing). Though research into the opportunities of 3D printing are not overlooked, there are many obstacles that are still standing in the way of printing organs and stem cells. For example, finding the right material to use i.e., it needs to be compatible with living tissue, non-toxic, biodegradable but also printable. Moreover, printing living cells (organs are composed of many different cell types) requires a different technique since ‘traditional’ 3D printing is too slow causing the living cells to be dead before transplantation. However, discoveries are made, one of the obstacles has been solved. An obstacle with 3D printing was that once printed it cannot change in structure, whereas living tissue changes overtime due to external factors (i.e., pH). Consequently, 4D printing was introduced which has the ability to change in structure over time (Mao et al., 202). Thus, printing of human cells, tissue, and organs, remains an extremely complex process due to the differing structures and functions of cells/tissue/organs but promising steps are being made. However, until bioprinting is realized we have to rely on others to donate their organs.
Sources:
Jaarcijfers 2021: aantal orgaantransplantaties gestabiliseerd; wachtlijst stijgt. (n.d.). Nederlandse Transplantatie Stichting (NTS). Retrieved October 1, 2022, from https://www.transplantatiestichting.nl/nieuwsartikel/jaarcijfers-2021-aantal-orgaantransplantaties-gestabiliseerd-wachtlijst-stijgt+
Mao, H., Yang, L., Zhu, H., Wu, L., Ji, P., Yang, J., & Gu, Z. (2020). Recent advances and challenges in materials for 3D bioprinting. Progress in Natural Science: Materials International, 30(5), 618-634.
Tekort aan mannelijke stamceldonoren: “Je kan mijn leven redden.” (2021, June 7). RTL Nieuws. Retrieved October 1, 2022, from https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/nederland/artikel/5234799/stamceldonatie-stamcellen-mannen-vrouwen-donatie-match+
Interesting and informative take on the transformation of health care and donations. Although I am a keen supporter of innovations and increasing everyone’s survival odds, have you thought of some of the ethical and sociological implications? It is framed as if 3D printing and the lookout towards bioprinting will reshape the donating mechanism, but in reality I think it may only create larger inequalities. Access to 3D printing is already severely limited, considering the high costs, and I fear it will be no less for bioprinting. Consequently, only the prosperous will be able to heal and maybe modify their bodies accordingly and those without proper funding or insurance are left in the dark. Even if the technology is enabled by some benevolent being, the example of exorbitant pricing of insulin in the United States (despite its relative cheap productions cost) leaves me slightly pessimistic. What are your thoughts on this?