One printed heart, please – 3D Bioprinting in Medicine: Applications and Ethical Issues

Abstract

Background: Organ bioprinting is only two decades old but has made tremendous progress in advancements of synthetic implants, reconstructive surgeries, prosthetic developments, and medical education. These are made possible due to the increasing affordability of bioprinters and their capability for tailor-made applications. However, the ethical considerations of bioprinting research and applications are still in its infancy. This article summarises the current literature on 3D bioprinting applications in medicine and its ethical concerns. Methods: EBSCOhost service search using related terms was applied on four databases (PubMed, EBSCOhost eBooks, Medline, and Academic Search Complete). Inclusion criteria consisted of any publication or academic article in electronic media discussing the use of 3D bioprinting in medicine and its ethical concerns. Results: A total of 41 articles were identified from the aforementioned databases discussing the applications of 3D bioprinting in medicine, screening of which left only 35 articles that met the inclusion criteria. 24 articles discussed the applications of 3D bioprinting, nine articles discussed the ethical concerns related, and two articles discussed both bioprinting and its ethical implications. Conclusions: 3D bioprinting offer limitless opportunities in the field of medical education but face limitations in real clinical application. Specific guidelines on ethical use of 3D bioprinting are urgently for its appropriate regulation.