One company, a biotech firm in California called Organovo (ONVO) is seeking to print liver tissue. It will also try to start selling it by the end of the year.
While it cannot actually print a human liver just yet, what it can do is amazing. It can take stem cells and then put them into 3-D printers and arrange them by layers like they would appear in the organ. the cells then begin to communicate with each other and fuse, and then they make the organ.
While it is still being developed, companies have already made considerable progress. A group of researchers at Harvard are trying to print human kidneys, and another group at the University of Louisville is working on printing a human heart.
Comment: It certainly is amazing what technology is capable of today. In fact it is incredible. Such technology, if it really can one day do this, could certainly add life and years to many people. The cost will certainly be prohibitive at first, then it may become more affordable and insurance companies might pick up the tab – one day.
The greatest concern of today, though, is not that people have a long life, or even a great quality of life. The greatest need is that we make sure we have eternal life – which only comes through Christ. You see, if you live well here, but miss Heaven completely – forever – what will it matter?
Truthfully, I am glad that technology can be used to benefit others. Many people could benefit from it. Knowing Christ, though, is the key to an “abundant life” (John 10:10); and He is also the Door to Heaven: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Christ offers every human a “new heart” – one that is capable of serving Him right.
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Source: http://money.cnn.com/2014/11/04/technology/innovationnation/3d-printed-organs/index.html
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Photo Credit: Unchanged; from https://www.flickr.com/photos/texasgreentea/221941723
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Keywords: 3-D printing, liver, heart, kidney, Organovo