Ethical of 3D printing Applications
3D printing refers to the process of coming up with three-dimensional objects from a digital file. The process entails the addition of layers of materials to the point of making a new object. 3D printing has aroused ethical concern due to its wide range of use more so in medical line. The 3D printing process has been used in various ways including medical, manufacturing and sociocultural sectors making 3D a commercial technology. The use of 3D printing is fast especially in the prototyping and manufacturing, hence have been preferred by most organizations dealing with small batch custom manufacturing. Whereas 3D printing technologies are believed to improve medical treatment in hospitals, the printers may pose health risks especially when used regularly since the test of safety is an ethical concern.
Ethical Issue
The use of 3D printing in healthcare has raised several concerns making it regarded as an ethical issue. To start with, the technology used in bioprinting is expensive as it involves technoscientific solutions for the treatment of patients. This means that countries without such technology may not benefit from the printing which means justice and access are not assured by the technology. 3D printing treatment is not confirmed to be a safe mode of treatment and due to this; issues arise as to whether it should be preferred over transplant. Since 3D printing can produce organs similar to human organs, the raising concern is whether it should be used for human enhancement. This is humans can prefer stronger and adaptive organs than the original ones which are a concern because only God should create or replace an organ.
3d printing is a concern since despite being a technology, it has equal power with God where it can replicate organs and bones similar to the human organs. When looking at the issue in religious line, 3D printing goes against the will of God because only God should create and replace organs in the human body. Also, the security issue is a matter of concern as the treatments cannot be tested for safety and compatibility with the human body. The technology used in 3D printing is extensive meaning that consumers cannot assess the risks associated with the technology. This makes it an ethical issue because the use of the technology is not protected by laws as the technology itself is protected.
The opposing sides fear that bioprinting may reach to an uncontrollable level where non-human cells will be used instead of human cells in the creation of the organs. This means that the more bioprinting is being adopted, the higher the chances that security and safety of human will be compromised. The opposition fears that there will reach a time when the ability to produce the organs and bones will be out of control, and at this juncture, the safety of patients will not be guaranteed. The opposing side fears that the quality of the organs will not be assured if the production of these organs will be out of control. What is more, bioprinting is likely to lead to the selling of cloned organs. This also raises the alarm on quality of organs that will be produced for selling. Such factors and more trigger the opposing side to fight against 3D printing in medicine due to its implication on human beings.
Ethical Resources
3D printing is already being used by orthopedic surgeons to print artificial bone whenever a patient is scanned. Printing allows one to get precisely the right shape of bone which is later used to replace the damaged or missing bone. This raises the ethical issue on how we should test the safety of the use of such bones. More to this, the determination of the effectiveness of the bones is not clear when 3D is used to print bones. To clear the doubt, the material used in printing bones are similar to those that are used during orthopedic surgery, and since those material have been tested for safety and with many patients, safety for patients is assured. Application of 3D printing in bone replacement is confirmed to be safe, hence a good strategy to improve medical treatment.
The second ethical issue is whether 3D printing should be used for human enhancement as it is used for bone and organ replacement. Since 3D printing involves the use of technology, it is possible to use to for development beyond what is normal for humans. But the question is, is it right to use such organs and bones for enhancement rather than treatment? For the reason that the technology is used to print artificial bones and organs, questions arise as to whether our existing bones and organs should be replaced with the artificial ones which can be stronger and less fatigued. The new technology sounds to be a good deal especially to athletes and individuals who would like better organs to increate survival rate. Although this is a good strategy for human survival, it can be harmful when used by the military because it can lead to increased destructive or weapons as a defense mechanism. Also, 3D printing seems to be against the will of God where it is debated that only God should create human beings or parts of human beings. This makes 3D printing an ethical issue.
The ethical issue posed by this technology in the treatment and management of the elderly is whether justice in access will be promoted. With the increasing demand for better healthcare for the elderly, the chances are that the technology will assist only financially stable individuals which will raise ethical issues in the healthcare industry. Another issue is whether the treatment will meet the patient’s expectations regarding safety and effectiveness. If the treatment meets the expectations of the patients as well as societal demands of fairness, cost-effective and secure treatment, then no doubt 3D printing will lead to effective treatment and management of all patients.
My View
3d printing is likely to reduce the burden on healthcare system more so in the treatment of the elderly. This is because the technology offers more effective treatment to the old which help the old stay healthy for a long period. This, in turn, will increase the proportion of population above the age of 60 since the technology focus on replacing bones and organs that are impaired. 3D ensure viable organs are manufactured which have reduced the risk of rejection by the body as compared to organ transplant. This makes it a good technology in healthcare as it will reduce mortality due to impaired organs or chronic diseases.
With 3D printing, there is ease of access to organs. This is because organs can easily be replicated from human cells unlike when transplants were relied upon. Since the organs are obtained from individual cells, compatibility is assured. Safety of the material used during printing is also guaranteed as long as human body cells are used.
Implications of Solving Ethical Issue
Due to the increasing concern of 3D printing in medicine, solving the issue will be necessitated. The issue of safety should be solved to meet the expectation s of the society. This is where laws should be devised which will control the use of technology to ensure only human cells are used in the production of organs. With the laws put in place, safety will be guaranteed in the use of 3D printing for organ production and replacement.
The issue of justice and access should be solved where all individuals requiring 3D printing service will be served at minimum cost. Solving the issue of cost of personalized treatment will enable easy access to the use of the technology which means it will be accepted in the society. Ethical barriers will be minimized when the technology serve all populations regardless of the condition of ailment. Solving such issues will make the population more popular to the treatment, and its effectiveness will clear the doubt of its treatment by the opposing side.
Conclusion
Although 3D printing in medicine has presented several ethical issues, its benefits cannot be overlooked. This is because it has led to increased lifespan for adults above 60 years with the introduction of better and effective treatment as well as organ and bone replacement. Therefore, if all ethical issues are adequately solved, 3D printing in medicine will be adopted as the solution to all illness including chronic illness.