paper C3

University of Maryland University College

IFSM 304

3D Printing Technology and Related Ethical Issues

Instructor: Jean Mc Kenzie

Introduction

3D printing also called additive manufacturing, is an additive process through which 3-dimensional item is created by laying down successive layers of materiel under the control of a computer. This emerging technology has allowed the industrialization of several item at home and is very efficient because it doesn’t create any waste. Its application has broadened to several fields such as architecture, art, medical or health sector, educational sector, and industrial sector. According to Baskaran, Strakalj and Di Leva (2016), 3D Printing technology is a very fast/rapid prototyping technology that has led to great innovative milestones in new applications in biomedicine. 3D printing technology works rapidly enhancing the creation of three dimensional structures with data sets from Computer Aided Designs (CAD). For instance, it has been adopted in Biomedicine due to its high level of accuracy in applications of surgery and anatomy education. The impact of this technology appears to be very significant on human being because doctors are relying on 3D printer to print out 3D physical duplicate of human organ such as bone or blood vessels for laboratory experiences. Also, prosthetic limbs are being made for those whose limb has been amputated. It is reported that by 2025 human organs could be printed for transplantation therefore, there will be no need for donors. Moreover, the 3D printer has also allowed people to print many household items and other such as guns. It is them important to question the ethical impacts and issues raised by this technology.

A- Safety and, security issues of the technology

3 D printing technology is a double-edged sword. Despite all its positive impacts on our society, it is important to point out some the safety issues raised by this technology. First, let emphasize that most of the product that we purchase from manufacturers or distributors are enforced by strict health and safety regulations in order to ensure the population is receiving or purchasing products that will not harm them. In fact, the current regulation relies on centralized manufacturing assumptions. However, 3D printing will enable people to fabricate whatever they want whenever they want. Therefore, it will be difficult for the law to control this new way of production, and consumers are not capable of evaluating all the appropriate risks. For example, Carnegie Mellon University has reported that there is an environmental health issue link to the use of the desktop 3 D printer because whether it is a low-temperature polylactic acid (PLA) feedstock or a higher temperature acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) feedstock, billions of nanoparticles that are associated with several adverse health effects. Moreover, the possibility to make a gun using 3 D printer has raised some security problems. Although many people think gun restriction will be effective in reducing Gun violence, there are evidence that gun control regulation has some limitations with the advent of 3D printing. For instance, Gilley (2016) reported that British Member of Parliament Jo Cox was murdered with a makeshift gun despite the United Kingdom's preventive gun-control laws.

A- Justice in access to healthcare

One of the big concern about personalized medicine is its access by the majority. According to Chia and Wu (2015), the applications created by this technology in biomedical services has impacted the diagnostic platforms, scaffolds for tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, and implants. Since advance techno scientific solutions are very expensive, it clear that it will not be accessible for everyone mostly low-income communities who appear to be in greatest number. The development of this kind of personalized medicine has been only left for those who can afford. This will expend the inequality gaps in the society. It doesn’t seem ethical to invest research money and professional effort into creating a technology that may only be accessible to a small segment of the population. For example, whereas surely greatly satisfying those who can afford the operation, the majority of people on organ transplant waiting lists may go unaffected by this technology. In addition, it not ethical that people are prevented from access to this medical advancement because they cannot pay for it. It is obvious that 3D printed organs can positively impact our lives. However, the contribution they make seem relatively small.

B- The issue of Intellectual property, right?

The advent of 3 D printing with the combination of 3D scanning gives consumers the opportunity to replicate or to copy objects or articles that are already patented. For example, consumers with personal 3D printers, or with access to 3D printers at any local print shops, can easily access Computer Aided Designs (CAD) files online. While some owners place their files with authorization other don't. Moreover, consumers who need replacement parts could access CAD files and print them at home or at local print shops. Other can also obtain a pirated copies of CAD files print various products and sell them through non- authorized third parties. Therefore, how could the current law enforce the replication of patented items for the patent holder to have financial control other the use of the patented items? Likewise, the Copyright Act which is a federal legislation that protects the writings of authors and grants them an exclusive right of reproduction to the copyright holder seems insufficient to cover infringement of a patent involving a 3D printer. With the current manufacturing and supply chain, manufacturers have extensive control over their products’ manufacturing and distribution. Therefore, the use of their intellectual property right. However, with a personal use manufacturing/supply chain, replacement parts manufacturing, and counterfeiters manufacturing, IP right holders will lose control of their IP whether it is a copyright, patent or trademarks.

Conclusion

To conclude, 3d printing technology has many positive impacts on our lives. The health sector has greatly advanced its services especially with the use of patient-specific anatomical data due to the adoption of the 3D printing technology in their facilities. It also creates alternatives to animal testing and prevents species boundary crossing. Dodds (2015) illustrates that 3D printing technology has enabled doctors to develop personalized treatments for patients instead of looking for treatments that suit most patients with similar conditions. However, this innovation came with several ethical issues such as safety issues, security issues, justice issues and intellectual property rights issues. It is then important to adjust the current manufacturing regulations and IP laws to face the challenges brought by 3d printing technology.

References A., S. K. (2015). TRANSPLANTING" ORGAN DONORS WITH PRINTERS: THE LEGAL AND ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF MANUFACTURING ORGANS. Akron Law Review. 2015, 49(3), pp. p739-769. 31p. Erica, N. (2016, October). The Risks of Revolution: Ethical Dilemmas in 3D Printing from a US Perspective. Science and Engineering Ethics, Vol. 22 (5), pp. p1285-1297. 13p. Retrieved September 24, 2017 Kamran, A. (2014, 5 10). The danger in the next big thing. British Medical Journal, Vol. 348( Issue 7957), p1-1. 2/3p. Chia, H. N., and Wu, B. M. (2015). Recent Advances in 3D Printing of Biomaterials. Journal of Biological Engineering. Retrieved from http://jbioleng.biomedcentral.com Dodds, S. (2015). 3D Printing Raises Ethical Issues in Medicine. Neely, E. L. (2016). The Risks of Revolution: Ethical Dilemmas in 3D Printing from a US Perspective. Journal of Science and Engineering Ethics.

Presentation (PowerPoint) C3: Presentation of research on an existing or emerging technology and its related ethical issues 

This assignment is a continuation of the previous individual assignments (Paper C1/C2) on researching an existing or emerging technology and its related ethical issues.  

The presentation will be developed using MS PowerPoint and will include:

· 1 Title slide including school, course, date of presentation, and names of all team members

· 1-2 Introductory slides providing an overview of the topic selected and rationale for selection

· 5-8 slides providing research results on emerging technologies and its related ethical issues

· 2 slides on summary/conclusion

· 1 - Reference slide

The Notes portion of MS PowerPoint should be utilized to elaborate, provide speaker notes, or explain key points as needed. If used properly, the Notes portion should reduce the amount of text on the slide. Make sure that your slides are not text-heavy and use a font size that may be readily seen by an audience . 

The presentations will be delivered in class during Week 8 and that participation will count towards the grade for these assignment.