3D-Printed Human Embryonic Stem Cells Created for First Time - (Eric Holder)
link to article:http://www.livescience.com/26865-3d-printed-embryonic-stem-cells.html
Here is a link to a cool video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp6ltI8z-uE
A new fascinating discovery has been made in the scientific community! Stem cell scientists discover a way to possibly print 3-D human cells. They call it the Cell Printer and it is able to print out human cells. Scientists from Heriot-Watt University created the cell printer to be able to create cells that can transform into specified cells. Stem cells are unique cells that are able to be manipulated and transformed into specialized cells such as red blood cells or kidney cells. This machine's product can be used to test drugs on human organs instead of animals, it can be used to grow organs, or repair broken body parts.
(The new 3-D Cell Printer)
I chose this article because it fascinated me. The fact that humans were able to create a machine that is able to create human organs is amazing. This technology is only found in movies and books. I have always loved futuristic medical devices that are able to make humans immortal or make them invincible. Now there is a device that could do all that. It can create human hearts or it could be used to replace failing organs which would make us live longer.
(This is a sample of the machines output)
One of the reasons why this technology is not being further researched is because of ethics. Many people believe that this is unethical because the cells that are used for the research are live embryos. Many say that it is killing the life of a unborn child. I believe that this research allows living, breathing humans to live a better life. Stem cell research is said to be the ultimate cure. Isn't the life of an unborn embryo less valuable then the life of living breathing person?
This will definitely change my life. Within a few years when this technology is perfected or near perfected there will no longer be a huge threat of disease. If I were to lose an arm then all the doctor would have to do is make me a new one. Or if my heart failed then it would just be replaced. This means that humans could potential live for a long time. Most humans die due to a major organ failing, but if we are able to replace it, could we live forever? Also, this intrigues me because if 50 years ago this technology was an impossible fantasy but now it is a reality, then what is in store for the human race 50 years from now?
This article genuinely surprised me. It seems impossible for technology to be able to recreate body parts but it actually exists. I would like to know more about the specific procedures that allow the cells to grow because it seems unreal for a man-made machine to be able to print living cells. At the same time, the thought of someone living with an artificially made organ makes me feel a bit unsettled. What other crazy inventions will come about to prolong human lives?
ReplyDeleteThis article is one of great interest to me because it deals with stem cells and their potential to change the human race. That being said, do you think that this technology can be used by the general public in the next 10 years? In my opinion, we still have many years to go before this technology can be used to help people.
ReplyDeleteThe regenerating of a missing appendage or failing organ seems to be quite a complex task. How long does it take to print one cell, let alone a whole limb's worth of cells? This will probably increase the average lifetime of a human, but if so how will we deal with overpopulation?
ReplyDeleteThis article is interesting in that it provides both the solid information, your own individual opinion, and the ethics behind the technology. The idea that a virtually infinite source of living material can be generated as so is fascinating. How much, then, does it cost to print out a single cell, series of cells, or an entire functioning organ?
ReplyDelete