# Printing Organs Tech-Savvy Tissue Replacement is as Easy as Pressing Ctrl+P By Michael Plishka | Published 2009-08-23 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organ-printing References: [freshcreation](http://www.freshcreation.com/entry/forget_paper_print_organs/) & [youtube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80DhBLEhdzk) There are multiple problems with replacing our organs when they get damaged. First, there is a waiting list for obtaining new organs if they are actually replaceable. Second, even if a suitable replacement organ is found, the recipient has to take anti-rejection medications for the rest of his or her life. However, thanks to Dr. Gabor at the [University of Missouri](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinting-resin), these problems look to soon be a thing of the past. Utilizing the same technology as inkjet printers, replacement organs will soon be able to be printed in layers similar to the way [rapid prototype machines](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing) build products out of polymers. The difference is that instead of ink or plastic, live cells are used as the medium. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 8% | Activity: 70% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **3D Bioprinting:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced 3D printing techniques for creating functional replacement organs using live cells. - **Organ Transplantation:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create new methods to streamline the organ transplantation process and reduce the need for anti-rejection medications. - **Organ Shortage Solutions:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore alternative approaches, such as biofabrication, to address the shortage of organs available for transplantation. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Healthcare:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate 3D bioprinting technologies into the healthcare industry to revolutionize organ transplantation and regenerative medicine. - **Biotechnology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Apply biotechnological advancements to enhance the process of creating functional replacement organs. - **Pharmaceuticals:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new drug therapies to minimize the need for long-term anti-rejection medications post-organ transplantation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Biocompatible Printing Inks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organ-on-chip-bioprinting.md) - [3D-BioPrinted Space Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/redwire-1.md) - [Patented 3D-Printed Bone Implants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/p3d-bone.md) - [Desktop Medical 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/einstein-dental.md) - [3D Medicine Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/doserx1.md) - [Lab-Grown Reproductive Biology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/testis-organoids.md) - [Innovative 3D Printers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innovative-3d-printers.md) - [3D-Printed Bone Implants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bellaseno.md) - [3D-Printed Medical Implants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ossiform.md)