The Dangers of 3D Printing

1282 Words3 Pages

Is the creation of human organs via 3D printing morally acceptable? How could a printer cause one to lose his or her life? How do 3D printers attack the environment that is so sacredly protected? What will happen to the economy if everyone is able to own these mini factories? Printers allow for easier sharing of computer data and other visual objects. However, in this rapidly accelerating technology boom, a new type of printer has been created. This new printer has the ability to print three-dimensional objects and construction parts. This has revolutionized the modern age by allowing the ease and freedom of production to be done at one’s home. Unfortunately, this new idea of 3D printing also allows anyone to produce almost anything in his or her home and use it for whatever he or she wishes. Although 3D printing has medical advantages, 3D printing should not be allowed because it leads to playing God, it gives citizens the ability to print weapons, it is not environmentally friendly, and it hurts the economy.
For example, 3D printing causes medical professionals to “play God” with their patients.
In the Netherlands, surgeons successfully removed a patient’s skull and replaced it with a plastic, printed skull. She was suffering from headaches due to the thickening of the skull and requested for a portion of her skull to be removed and to be replaced by a substitution. A 3D printed skull was used as a replacement, even though previous methods of replacing the skull would have worked. The printed skull; however, was more cosmetically beneficial to the patient than the other methods used in the past (Eng). This patient did benefit from the use of 3D printing; however, the use of 3D printing in the medical field is similar to playin...

... middle of paper ...

...y Implanted in Woman." NBC News. News Broadcasting Channel, 27 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Apr. 2014.
Horn, Leslie. "3D Printing Indoors Is as Bad for You as Smoking a Cigarette Inside." Gizmodo. N.p., 24 July 2013. Web. 11 May 2014.
"How 3-D Printing Could Disrupt the Economy of the Future." Bloomberg View. Bloomberg L.P., 14 May 2013. Web. 11 May 2014.
Kurman, Melba. "Is Eco-Friendly 3D Printing a Myth?" LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 20 July 2013. Web. 11 May 2014.
Plafke, James. "The World’s First 3D Printed Metal Gun Is a Beautiful .45 Caliber M1911 Pistol." ExtremeTech. Ziff Davis LLC, 7 Nov. 2013. Web. 11 May 2014.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. Literature.org. Knowledge Matters Ltd. Web. 11 May 2014.
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Dir. George Lucas. Perf. Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, and Hayden Christensen. 20th Century Fox Film Corporation, 2002. DVD.

Open Document