The History, Current Status, Benefits, and Challenges of 3D Printed Organs

Abstract

There is an increase in demand for organs as transplantation is becoming a common practice to elongate human life. To reach this demand, three-dimensional bioprinting is developing from prior knowledge of scaffolds, growth factors, etc. This review paper aims to determine the current status and future possibilities of three-dimensional bioprinting of organs and evaluate the benefits and challenges, along with the history of its development. Prior research has viewed three-dimensional bioprinting as a technology that will enable safer transplantation without graft rejection and provide demand-based production. However, it faces challenges such as the need to improve biocompatibility and biofunctionality, legal and ethical issues, and the need to improve the technology itself. While the development of three-dimensional printing organs is not yet completed, we are seeing improvements and expecting it to be clinically applied soon.