• Question: Can you create living organisms using a 3D printer?

    Asked by cool-whip-2 to Hilly, Lee, Liz, Tadhg, Yasmin on 14 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Lee Margetts

      Lee Margetts answered on 14 Jun 2015:

      Another great question from @cool-whip-2 !

      The 3D printers you can buy on the high street or Amazon cannot be used to print living things. However, in the next 10-20 years, this technology will be used to print replacement hearts, lungs, kidneys, livers and skin – if you need them.

    • Photo: Yasmin Ali

      Yasmin Ali answered on 14 Jun 2015:

      In theory, yes! People are working on this right now.

      There was a toucan in Costa Rica who damaged his beak, so they 3D printed a prosthetic beak for him! I know a beak isn’t quite a living organism, but it’s a good example of bioengineering.

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