1. 3D Printing: Modeling the Future of Creation
Steve Myrick
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to analyze the ethical and
legal implications of the technology of 3D printing, as
well as the impact that this technology will have on
society in the future. This relatively new technology is
changing the way society interacts with the Internet and
implements the Internet in to their daily lives. This pure
creation allows the average user to express their
creativity in physical form without the practice of
becoming a craftsman. The permeation of 3D printers in
to society has grown within recent years. Therefore, the
possible effects and issues that this technology will
create should be discussed. The method of research for
this technology comes from the examination of the
possible uses for 3D printers and their impact. The
research of these technical issues comes from peer-
reviewed sources as well as personal knowledge of the
author. This study can be used for decision making when
considering the adoption of 3D printing and when
inventing new uses for the technology. The ethical and
legal impacts that this paper presents may be used for
making informed choices in policy and law making. It is
apparent that this technology is still evolving, therefore
not every possible outcome for this technology may be
considered. However, a logical conclusion would be for
the general population to understand the uses and
implications of 3D printing, as it exists currently.
Key Words: 3D Printing, Biotechnology, Ethical,
Guns, Legal, Societal Impact
1. Introduction
3D printing is a relatively new technology that allows
users to print physical objects with a variety of different
materials with relative ease. These objects come from 3D
models that are created with CAD (Computer Assisted
Design) software and often uploaded to the Internet free
of charge. With the onset of this technology, it has
become easier for users to bring their own ideas to life as
well as share these objects with others.
This concept of 3D printing introduces multiple legal
and ethical issues that must be examined. Since the
popularity of 3D printing has grown at an exponential
rate over the recent years, it is safe to make the
assumption that 3D printers could very well be a staple of
the American household in the next few years. If this
technology is to permeate itself in to daily life, how will
this affect individuals?
In this paper, the ethical implications of 3D printing
in relation to the broad scope of biotechnology will be
assessed. This paper will also address the legal
repercussions and implications of 3D printing guns and
armaments. Lastly, the paper will focus on the future of
3D printing and what possible innovations will have
broader ethical or legal implications.
This technology has been examined for different
concerns, whether that be for the effects it may have
upon the economy or the effects it has on piracy. These
conclusions about these legal and ethical implications as
well as the effect upon society can be used to make a
decision about the implementation of this new
technology.
The remainder of the paper is structured
systematically with each subcategory of 3D printing
technology presented and broken down. The first
technology discussed will be the uses 3D printing has for
biotechnology, including skin grafting, casts, medicine,
organ reproduction, prosthetics, and cybernetic
enhancements. The second technology that will be
discussed is the printing of guns and gun parts with an in
depth look in to the story of Cody Wilson as an example.
Lastly, this paper will speculate upon the possible uses
for 3D printing technology in the future such as printing
food, housing, amongst others.
2. Biotechnology
One field that has and will continue to benefit from the
invention of 3D printing is the biotechnology field. The
use of 3D printing in this field includes, but is not
limited to: casting, skin grafting, organ creation,
prosthetics, bone creation, cartilage creation, and others.
In [1], Dr. David Hirsch, an NYU doctor stated that the
“technology is limitless. The only thing that's limited is
our ability to think about new applications for it.” While
there are still many challenges to the implementation of
3D printing in common medicine, doctors and student
are creating prototypes for a variety of needs. The
beginnings of possible uses of 3D printing in the medical
field are now being seen, however this is merely the start.
Ethical concerns, such as consent to experimentation or
the obtaining of certain stem cells used in cell creation

2. for printing, must also be examined and taken in to
account when deciding to pursue new experiments and
advancements using 3D printing.
2.1. Casting
The concept of keeping ligaments stationary to speed
the healing process has been common as early as 30 A.D.
A variety of different materials have been used over the
years to create casts or splints such as plastic, wood,
metal, fiberglass, or plaster. Each of these generally
provides a similar purpose: to keep the broken bone still
while the body takes over the natural healing process. A
common complaint about the state of casting in the
current medical field is the restriction from access of the
skin underneath the cast. Patients often complain about
itches, bulkiness of the cast, the offensive smell of the
casting materials, and other inconveniences. In addition,
a patient is often restricted from getting the cast wet,
which makes bathing difficult. To remedy this situation,
a medical student named Deniz Kardashian used the
technology of 3D printing to create a cast with the
appearance of a wire frame, dubbed the Osteoid. To
begin, the patient’s arm was scanned with a 3D scanner
and loaded in to the modeling application. The software
creates a model of the cast specific to the body type of the
patient. The rigid plastic cast can be printed in an
extremely short amount of time. Another interesting
feature of the Osteoid cast is that it “can also be
combined with its complimentary, low intensity pulsed
ultrasound (LIPUS) bone stimulator system. For single
20 minute daily sessions this system promises to reduce
the healing process up to 38% and increase the heal rate
up to 80% in non-union fractures [2].” One issue with
the wire frame looking design of the cast is that the arm,
or whatever ligament is affected, would be vulnerable to
piercing or small objects being pressed against the skin.
However this does give access to the affected area in case
a medical professional wants to do a visual inspection of
the region for bruising or to take a blood sample. In this
case it would seem fairly clear that the pros outweigh the
cons. With the benefits that this cast provides, this
invention could easily be the future of orthopedic casting.
2.2. Skin Grafting
Burn victims, skin cancer patients, laceration victims,
amongst others are common recipients of the process
known as skin grafting in which pieces of skin tissue are
relocated to a large enough area on the body that skin
will not regrow and naturally heal itself. The prevalence
of burn victims in the United States itself is quite large;
therefore the medical fields need new technologies in
skin grafting. In [3], Sheridan states that “for about 3.5
million people there should be one burn unit. In the
United States each year, approximately 2 million people
are injured, 80,000 are hospitalized, and 6,500 die from
burns.” An issue that many patients face is the fact that if
an afflicted area is too large or deep, then a donator piece
of skin is often taken from another part of the patient’s
body. Then comes the issue of the body accepting that
new piece of skin tissue. The Wake Forest School of
Medicine is currently researching the possible uses of 3D
printing for skin grafting purposes. Their team is using
several types of skin cells as the “ink” in the printer. A
3D scanner scans the afflicted region and software
determines the amount and type of skin cells that should
be applied to the affected region. The extruder then lays
down layer upon layer of skin cells, as it would a plastic
filament. The implications for this type of skin grafting
include, but are not limited to: a reduction in donor
tissue, less crude methods, swiftness of delivery,
unification of tissue types, and improved survival rate.
2.3. Medicine
The production of medicine, being an extension of
basic chemistry, relies on getting the right pieces of a
chemical together. Therefore, if chemical production is
similar to building something from a blueprint, then it
would make sense to see that chemicals could be 3D
printed. In the near future, 3D printers made specifically
for printing drugs, or “chemputers,” could be seen
around the world and even in homes.
How would this affect the average consumer? English
journalist Katharine Sanderson, in [4], states that, “the
technique [of printing drugs] might also allow people to
print and share recipes for niche substances that
chemical or pharmaceutical companies don't make.” A
globally-minded goal of researchers is to take this
technology to underprivileged countries and communities
that may not have access to the common drugs that a
typical American may have. Sanderson addresses the
concern that the physical printing machine being hard to
acquire for these individuals in need by stating that “it's
not clear how such people will get a 3D printer and the
chemical ingredients [4].” However, scientists and
humanitarians are making strides to take these
technologies to those communities. In Sanderson’s
article, she quotes chemist Lee Cronin in observing, “that
most drugs and detergents are made of carbon, hydrogen
and oxygen, which are also the components of readily
available substances such as corn syrup, glycerol and
paraffin [4].” This reality may seem far off, however this
very well could be the next step in a more decentralized
pharmaceutical industry.
However, with all of these positive benefits, there are
still concerns over this device’s development. The ability
for lawbreakers to use this technology to create illegal
drugs is a major concern. According to [4], those
developing the software used in conjunction with the
“chemputer” have stated that this software “would be
difficult to modify into making other reactions” and that
“no one would be allowed to hack”. However, the
prevention of hacking, as seen in various other fields of

3. computers, is an extremely difficult practice, especially
when there is a reward for the hackers. If a standard
household 3D printer could be modified to print drugs,
the criminal community would quickly have whatever
safeguards to prevent criminal activity broken. These
concerns must be considered when creating a 3D printing
system such as the “chemputer.”
2.4. Organ Reproduction
Doctors and scientists have only been growing organ
tissue in a lab for around 25 years. As of late, doctors
have been able to grow fully functioning organs
completely outside of the human body and transplant
them in to a patient. With the onset of 3D printing,
scientists have found a way to utilize these printers for
the production of organs, similar to the creation of skin
for grafting purposes. According to [5], the process of
organ printing involves “using layer by layer deposition
of cell and/or cell aggregates into a 3D gel with
sequential maturation of the printed construct into
perfused and vascularized living tissue or organ”. This
technology could expedite the recovery process. The issue
is that “tissue engineers, as well as doctors and their
patients, do not have the luxury to wait years until
engineered tissues and organs become morphologically,
biochemically, mechanically and functionally
differentiated [5]”. Once the technology for printing
organs becomes systematic and the software becomes
stable, doctors could spend much less time meticulously
growing the organs in a lab, leaving more time for other
tasks. Another benefit from the production of organs in a
lab would be the ability for experimentation. Organs that
would not come from the human body could be subjected
to trials and experiments that they would otherwise not
have been subjected. This also helps cut down on the
harvesting of animals for organ purposes.
Some opposition has been raised against the concept of
growing, and by extension, printing organs in a lab.
Some oppose the methods in which scientists obtain the
crucial stem cells that they need to conduct their
experiments. Others stand beside the belief that parts of
the human body are not manmade and should not be
created in a lab. Animal rights activists call for the
medical community to put a stop to animal testing;
therefore, the use of pig organs for organ growth testing
has been protested. While there are many different views
in opposition to the growth of organs in a lab, the onset
of 3D printing may help sway public opinion towards
acceptance of the technology.
2.5. Prosthetics
According to [6], “the total number of persons with
paralysis, deformity or orthopedic impairments that use
prosthesis is expected to reach 7.3 million by the year
2020.” The need for quick, effective, comfortable,
affordable, and personalized prostheses is growing in
America and the world. Not only do the current patients
need prostheses, but the new patients that are being
added every day add to the growing concern. Strides are
being made to create 3D printed prostheses to help those
living with a disability in their everyday lives.
The current state of prosthetics leaves much room for
improvement. According to [7], “it is estimated that over
95% of amputees experience [prosthetic] socket
discomfort.” The use of 3D printing can both improve
the speed in which doctors create these prosthetic sockets
and improve the quality of the sockets by utilizing
sophisticated and precise 3D scanning along with
computer aided design software. Another issue with
prostheses is the large costs associated with their
creation. For example, several children have received 3D
printed hands that cost around $50 USD in materials to
print, as opposed to the approximate cost of $10,000
USD for a comparable prosthesis. While there remains
room for improvement on the 3D printing front in this
regard, the potential for this technology is vast and
carries great importance.
2.6. Cybernetic Enhancements
An extension of the prosthetic field is the use of
prostheses for non-emergency situations. People have
elected to get implants of chips, transmitters, and other
technologies in to their bodies. In the future, elective
cybernetic enhancements could become a commonplace
operation. 3D printers could even make some types of
easy operations possible to do at home. For example, a
contact lens with a customizable heads up display would
require no invasive surgery but would change the way
someone, quite literally, views the world. This type of
enhancement, obviously, would require an extremely
delicate and finely tuned extruder and some interesting
materials, but these things may become accessible and
available to consumers in the near future.
A possible ethical outcome of the onset of cybernetic
enhancements would be the division of society between
those who support the use of cybernetic enhancements,
and those who believe in the pure body. Another issue
would be the use of technology to gain an unfair
advantage, whether that be in sports, school, work, or
something else. Those who do not elect to use cybernetic
enhancements, whether that is on the basis of economic
weakness or personal beliefs, would be at a disadvantage.
There are many different opposing viewpoints to the use
of cybernetic enhancements that should be taken in to
account when designing 3D printers.
2.7. Dental
In the same vein as 3D printing a bone, the dentistry
field is using 3D scanners and printers to create

4. replacement teeth, dentures, molds, and other useful tools
for their trade. For example, orthodontists could take a
3D scan of a patient’s mouth and print out the model
instead of taking a plaster casting of the teeth. The
benefit of having a 3D scanned version of the mouth is
that the file could be printed over and over again in case
the model was to break. This interfaces well with the
mandate that all medical records go digital. These
medical grade scanners and printers would tend to be
quite expensive for smaller firms, as orthodontists tend to
have smaller practices. With access to this type of
machine, dentists could even print of pieces of material
for a chipped tooth or a filling. This process could help
expedite the process of healing and make the job easier
for the dentists doing the surgery.
An opposition to this technology would be the fact that
some people do not want their medical records stored on
a computer network where their privacy could be at risk.
If hackers were to gain access to medical records, then it
would be easy to expose someone’s personal data or even
try to steal their identity. Privacy concerns are always a
big and sensitive issue when it comes to the medical
field. This type of data tends to be the most personal
thing about someone so the importance of keeping that
data safe is of the utmost importance.
3. Guns
The gun debate has been a hot-button topic over the
past few years in America. With tragedies such as the
Columbine, Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech massacres, and
other shooting sprees, citizens and legislators have
formed opinions and engaged in debate about the control
of guns. One side of the argument states that the use and
sale of guns should be put under stricter standards and
regulations. The other side of the argument states that the
possession and use of guns is a protected and
fundamental right expressed in the Constitution and is a
key tool in home and personal defense. This debate has
raged on in the media and in conversations across
America. With the onset of 3D printing, some citizens
have created parts to guns that can be easily printed and
used. If this practice continues, there will be very
interesting arguments both for and against the act.
Though this is still in the somewhat beginning stages,
working proof of concepts exist in the wild.
3.1. Regulation
While the second amendment protects American
citizens’ right to bear arms, the laws governing the
purchase and control of firearms have been changed over
the past years and will likely continue to change. For
example, in the state of North Carolina one must obtain a
permit from a local sheriff’s department to purchase a
handgun; however, a long gun such as a shotgun or rifle
requires no permit. Different states provide different
restrictions on the purchase of a gun, the carrying,
whether concealed or open, of a gun, and the regulations
governing the ownership and definition of an “assault
rifle.” While all states have varying levels of regulation
on gun ownership, the fact of the matter is that currently
owning a weapon is legal in all states. With the high
emotions and loud opinions of those involved in the gun
debate, it is impossible to ignore the fact that 3D printing
guns will become an extremely hot topic in the coming
years, if it is not already.
Almost all states require some sort of identification or
registration when purchasing a gun. In general, a
customer can purchase most of the parts to fabricate a
gun on the Internet with no form of control, registration,
or identification. The lower receiver part in the AR-15,
the most common civilian semi-automatic rifle in the
United States is the only part of the rifle that cannot be
purchased online. With 3D printing, the files to create
the parts that are not sold online can be simply uploaded
online free of charge with little to no regulation. Some
websites such as the popular thingiverse.com have
removed links to these object files. However, it is
impossible to completely remove something from the
Internet forever. Therefore once these files are released in
to the wild of the Internet, there is no going back. An
issue with the common person printing a gun part is the
materials of which the part is comprised. PLA material is
the most common in 3D printers, however it cannot stand
up to the pressures of gun recoil when used to fabricate a
lower receiver. Single or few use handguns can be
printed with the common PLA material and function
with relative accuracy and durability. These guns that are
created by a 3D printer do not, at this point in time, have
to be registered in most states. Since this is still new
technology, the laws have not adapted to meet the needs
of the citizens. Laws move slower than technology, so
whenever some innovation appears, governing laws are
soon to follow. The interesting period is the time in
between innovation and regulation. With the increase in
popularity this technology is bound to see in the near
future, policy and laws will adapt to account for these
custom-made firearms.
3.2. Cody Wilson
Described by Wired magazine as one of the 15 most
dangerous people in the world, Cody Wilson is a young
man from Texas who has made his name by 3D printing
guns. According to [8], instead of the “government is
taking our guns away” approach that many take when
defending the second amendment, “Cody Wilson of
Defense Distributed frames his argument against gun
control as a crypto-anarchic one that is skeptical of any
government regulation without positing a lost era of
uncompromised rights.” Even though the typical
demographic that fights against gun control tends to be
conservative, according to [8], when questioned about his

5. political views, “Wilson aligns himself with far-left
causes and ‘hacktivist’ movements like WikiLeaks,
Anonymous, and Bitcoin rather than Fox News, Ron
Paul, and the NRA.” His ideals and goals are to arm the
people of the world so that they can protect themselves
against government tyranny. Cody Wilson founded a
non-profit organization named Defense Distributed,
where he plans to design and release free, open-source
designs for guns and gun parts without the interference
of the law. This has been difficult because the object files
could not be hosted on a public website. According to [9],
when Wilson first received the 3D printer that he
intended to use to create his first prototype, the
manufacturer of the printer caught word and threatened
legal action if Wilson did not return the printer. The
company Stratasys who sold Wilson the printer claimed
that his plans were illegal and that he could not proceed.
After obtaining a Federal Firearms License to fabricate
and sell firearms, Wilson created Defense Distributed’s
first prototype gun, which he called “the Liberator.” The
Liberator was a single shot pistol that could be printed
with PLA plastic and fire without breaking. After Wilson
attempted to host the 3D object files needed to create this
gun, the United States Department of State forced
Defense Distributed to take down the files from the
hosting website. However, the files continued to live on
through the use of torrent websites. Wilson has the object
files for the AR-15 rifle lower receiver on his own
website so that he is in control of the file. There has been
much opposition against Wilson’s acts by both
government officials and citizens alike. Wilson
throughout his journey has found loopholes and
workarounds to continue with his cause. For example,
when asked to make the Liberator comply with the metal-
detecting standard, Wilson placed a piece of metal in the
prototype. This piece of metal, however, is not necessary
in the gun and can be easily left out when a consumer
prints the gun. Some describe the acts of Cody Wilson as
heroic or innovative while others describe him as a
criminal and an anarchist. Defense Distributed has also
released a product called the ghost gunner, which is
essentially a glorified drill bit. This drill, however, is able
to accurately and precisely cut out pieces of an online
purchased lower receiver of an AR-15 rifle to allow it to
be fired. Wilson has created magazines for the AR-15
and the AK-47 rifles that have been proved to withstand
repeated fire over multiple uses. Amongst this and
others, Wilson has created a cryptocurrency similar to
Bitcoin that focuses on anonymous trading of currency.
The majority of Wilson’s assets are in the form of
Bitcoin. His contribution to the industry of 3D printing
and the gun debate will have a profound effect on the
future of the technology.
3.3. Personal Manufacturing
An argument for the personal manufacturing of guns
with 3D printers is that the act of 3D printing could be
construed as an extension of the craft of a gunsmith.
Gunsmiths have created firearms since the twelfth
century in China with nothing but wood and crude metal.
A modern day gunsmith has access to more sophisticated
tools but is subject to certifications and laws. Many
people, because of the time, effort, and specific skill that
go in to manufacturing a firearm, would consider a
gunsmith’s work art. On the other hand, 3D printing a
gun or gun part takes much less skill and training.
Anyone with access to the right equipment and basic
computer and 3D printing knowledge could theoretically
print a gun if the files are available. Though 3D printing
a gun could be seen as the action of a gunsmith, the
gunsmith craft tends to require more skill and time. The
argument that 3D printing is an extension of the work of
a gun smith is often dismissed due to the small amount of
true artesian gunsmiths left in the market. If a person
wanted to personally manufacture a gun for personal use
without importing more than a specified amount of
foreign parts, according to United States law, they are
allowed to own that gun as long as it is for personal use
and not for resale. There is a fine line between
manufacturing a gun and repurposing parts for a new
weapon. 3D printing will soon face scrutiny under the
eyes of the law when to comes to gun fabrication.
3.4. Other Weapons
The use of guns in today’s society as the weapon of
choice is apparent to anyone who has seen the news.
With the addition of new materials to the repertoire of
the 3D printer, such as steel, other weapons could be
printed just as easily, if not easier. A sword, mace, axe,
trap, throwing star, knife, or even a cannon are simple,
but effective uses of basic metalwork. These weapons
have dealt many deaths to countless humans over the
years, but there has not been uproar over the 3D printing
of these types of weapons. The fact of the matter is that
guns are the hot-button topic upon which society and the
news like to focus. Access to these types of weapons for
sale in a store is generally unregulated. Though few true
swords are still made today, to obtain a deadly sword
would take no registration, unlike a handgun. 3D
printing may have an effect on the use of weapons,
however it seems that the main focus will continue to be
on the printing of guns and gun parts.
4. Future Uses
There is no doubt that the future of 3D printing
contains endless room for more ideas and innovation.
Many of the far-off ideas that innovators are considering
today could easily become commonplace inventions of
the future. When considering what innovations to
consider and pursue, a need must be present. Most of the
current uses of 3D printers are useful and beneficial to
the user or society as a whole. The use of 3D printing for

6. skin cells comes from the human need for organs and
skin grafting. When taken at a large scale, the concept
3D printing can be abstracted to meet a variety of needs
from homelessness to hunger. The simple concept of
layer-by-layer creating an object is merely the foundation
of a larger solution.
4.1. Housing
It is estimated that over 100 million people in the
world suffer from homelessness. According to [10],
though demographics are difficult to measure and vary
from region to region, the predominant members of the
homeless population are either women or children. This
is an issue in all countries, not just overseas or just the
United States. People everywhere go without shelter and
many die every day due to their homelessness.
According to [11], “Chinese company WinSun
Decoration Design Engineering has constructed a set of
ten single story, 3D-printed homes which it produced in
under 24 hours.” By creating such a large custom 3D
printer, the manufacturer could both cut costs from
materials and labor. Costing around $5,000, these homes
would be accessible to the homeless community. The
speed at which these houses are created allows for
quicker relocation and a swifter end to the housing
problem. The systematic use of these printers could also
reduce the room for human error in the building of these
houses.
This is not a perfect system, for there are issues with
this technology. The first issue is the fact that the custom
3D printer in its current state can only build houses up to
a certain height. In the modern world, a solution to the
housing problem has been to fit many people in to a
small, tall building to minimize the use of valuable land.
This technology in its current state cannot accommodate
for that. Another issue is the materials used to build the
houses must be somewhat malleable and able to be sent
through an extruder. While this could be safe, there is
always the chance that the mix is of the wrong
consistency or that the materials may not stand up to
long-term use.
4.2. Food
To take the concept of a 3D printer and replace the
plastic filament with a chocolate mixture may sound like
the beginning of a Willy Wonka story. However, this
technology is already being used to create pastries,
desserts, baked goods, ready-to-cook foods, and others.
Another use for this technology would be the benefit of
knowing the exact ingredients that went in to the food.
Certain filaments could be certified for certain types of
diets to protect those with dietary restrictions. A 3D
printer that prints food, like most modern machinery
involving food, takes away room for human error and
contamination. This technology could also help aid in the
fight against world hunger. Complex, dietary-specific,
nutrient rich foods could be printed with no human
interaction needed. This could also revolutionize the fast
food industry, where no fry cooks would be needed to
create a fast meal. This would have a direct effect on
low-paying, low-skill jobs.
Some of the oppositions to this technology are the
obvious concerns about cleanliness. If the machine used
to create a large amount of food continuously produces a
product, it would need cleaning to maintain a level of
sterilization. Another concern is the opposition to a
mass-produced filament or mixture that would be needed
to use the printer. Many consider cooking an art and the
ingredients that go in to the food as important as the end
result itself. With both the pros and the cons in account,
the innovators behind the printing of food can proceed to
revolutionize the way humans interact with their food.
4.3. Impact Upon the Economy
If the predictions that there will be a 3D printer in
every home in the near future are true, then the world
will see a major change in the way its economy functions.
[12] states that the 3D printing revolution will change
the economy and the world just as the Industrial
Revolution changed the world. The economy of scale is a
concept that producing one singular thing costs much
more than it would to produce that item on a large scale.
For example, if a customer approached a firm and asked
them to produce one lamp, the firm would have to hire
the knowledgeable personnel, obtain the right equipment,
gain the understanding of the project, and take the time
to produce it. The cost for one lamp in this situation
would be much more than the lamp is worth. However,
after the first lamp is made, each subsequent lamp
becomes easier and cheaper to produce. The 3D printer
changes the concept of economy of scale, because the
initial investment of producing one item is much lower.
If someone else has already created and shared the object
file, then the initial investment is almost nothing.
This will also change the way the market deals with
competition. A 3D printer in the home could reduce the
demand for small, inexpensive, or otherwise common
objects. For example, a consumer could download a
replacement part for a broken machine that would
eliminate the need for spending money on another
machine or spending money on a replacement part. The
firm that is responsible for manufacturing the materials
used to create objects could become an extremely large
firm, driving many firms specializing in niche objects out
of the market. According to [12], the competition
between firms in the current market creates cheap,
quality products for the consumer in the pursuit of profit.
This change in the way consumers approach the
market when in need of products will change drastically
with the onset of 3D printing as a commonplace practice.
The concept of the economy of scale will change along
with the technology. Whether the economy benefits or

7. hurts from the introduction of 3D printing as a
commonplace technology has yet to be seen. When
developing 3D printing technology, innovators must
consider the ethical impact of their work. Consumers and
firms will ultimately change the way they do business if
there is a 3D printer in every home. Who will benefit
from this change will be a point of contention in the
future.
4.4. Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence itself is a software concept, so
where does 3D printing fit in to the discussion? [13]
discusses the new artificially intelligent robot named
Jimmy produced by Intel. The robot will serve general
purposes such as doing chores or even simulating a
speech conversation [13]. While most of the impressive
features come from the software that is included on the
chips, the physical appearance of the robot is what the
user will interact with on a daily basis. The parts for this
project are minimal when the body pieces are excluded
from the kit. A consumer could potentially order this
robot and print the rest of the body out. This allows for
customization in the type of artificial intelligence robot
with which the user wants to interact. An interesting
concept for this type of application is the customization
of the robot body. Whether that be with an algorithm or
personal customization, each robot could potentially have
a different face or body structure. Intel employee Brian
Johnson states in [13] that “robots will be as common as
the internet.”
As long as science fiction has existed, there have been
thoughts and stories of artificially intelligent robots that
could outsmart humans and possibly take over the world.
With 3D printing technology in conjunction with
sophisticated algorithms for designing robot bodies, the
physical appearance of these robots could change. This
brings upon the question of personal identity and privacy.
If a robot could scan a random person’s face and create a
3D printed replica of that face, then the issue of identity
fraud comes in to place. Does a human have the right to
look completely unique and have no one imitate them?
While this may seem far off, those focusing on this type
of technology should take in to account this ethical
question.
4.5. Space
In space exploration, the need for multiple-use,
efficient objects is paramount. To take an entire tool kit
in to space when tools could easily be printed from a
common material seems redundant. This concept of a
common material would help drastically in space travel.
The needs of the astronauts must be carefully calculated
prior to takeoff to reduce waste and ensure the survival
and comfort of the crewmembers. A 3D printer in space
could have a great impact on the success of the mission.
If a part on a spacecraft broke, then a 3D printer would
be able to replicate that piece without the worry of having
to carry extras. This type of technology could be the
difference in extended space travel.
An actual 3D printer was installed in the International
Space Station on November 17th
, 2014. This marks the
beginning of 3D printing for the NASA space program
while in orbit. The interesting thing about a 3D printer is
that it has the ability to replicate itself with very few
extra parts. As long as there is an excess of filament, the
use for a 3D printer in space is invaluable. The issue lies
when trying to use the printer in low gravity since the
extruder relies on gravity to work. It takes longer to
calibrate a 3D printer in this type of situation but once
the calibration is complete readjustments should not
prove difficult. The possibilities are endless for a 3D
printer in the space program.
4.6. Makerspaces
A makerspace is the term for a warehouse or workshop
where people pay to come invent or fabricate an item.
Often makerspaces include wood, metals, polymers,
clays, stone, plastic, and other materials in which
someone with an idea could bring that idea to life. The
3D printer has become a staple of the makerspace. 3D
printing has made it easier than ever to prototype an idea
or create something new. This new concept of a
makerspace has allowed people to express their creativity
in new ways without the formal training of working in a
specific medium. In a broader sense, 3D printing allows
for more inventions and ideas with less consequence for
error. In the past, a craftsman would often specialize in
one medium over another. Since the number of craftsmen
in the world has dropped with the rise of office work and
technology, the allure of becoming a craftsman has
seemed to return to society. The Do-It-Yourself
movement has taken the Internet and popular culture by
storm. Creating an object on one’s own used to be a
necessity, but now it is a rare need. People tend to feel
accomplished when working on a project that they can
use every day. Makerspaces encourage this type of
behavior. Like a child learning to build Lego,
makerspaces allow for adults to create something they are
imagining. Often hobbyists or some true craftsmen run
these facilities. The future of makerspaces is unknown at
this point, but if the trend continues, each city in
America will have its own makerspace where its citizens
can come together to create.
4.7. Art Replication
The work of famous artists like Van Gogh, Leonardo
da Vinci, and Salvador Dalí have been copied and copied
again since their inception. There are those who spend
countless hours learning how to copy the style of an
artist. These counterfeit paintings often are
indistinguishable from the original to the naked eye,

8. however, upon deeper inspection, it is apparent that a
human cannot copy another human’s work perfectly.
However, a 3D printer can. With the help of an
extremely precise 3D scanner, a 3D printer can
reproduce a painting with extreme detail, down to the
brush stroke. The ethical issue behind this process is the
fact that blatantly copying another’s work is stealing.
This begs the question: what makes art special? Is it the
heart and passion that went in to the creation of that
painting in its original form or is it the inherent quality
of the outcome? If a 3D scanner and printer can
reproduce a famous work perfectly, does that diminish
the value of the original? Does the replica have a similar
value? Does the extreme detail give the replica inherent
value? These questions have yet to be answered, for this
is still a relatively new technology. There have been a
few cases where art has been replicated; however, it is
difficult for those experimenting with this technology to
get ahold of truly valuable art. The cost of scanning and
printing an exact replica, however, can be extremely
costly so the replica must have some worth. A positive
effect of this technology would be that an art collector or
museum could have a masterfully crafted replica put on
display while the original is kept protected from the air
and light. It will be interesting to see if there comes a
time of black market art dealing that has the same
attention to detail that the original artist gave the
painting.
4.8. Clothing
Since clothes are considered by most cultures essential
to human life, this leaves room for 3D printing to
revolutionize another commonplace item. Printers could
use different types of materials, such as metallic blends
or polymer blends, to create clothing. Inventors have
created fabrics that can be applied in a spray-paint like
fashion. By extension of this, a 3D scanner could obtain
perfect measurements of the human body and a 3D
printer could print perfect fitting clothing designed
specifically for the user. This technology could help
clothe the homeless and unfortunate.
In a similar fashion, jewelry can be created using a 3D
printer. Materials such as silver and gold can be used as
“inks” in new 3D printer. Like clothing, jewelry could be
completely customized by the user. Different jewels and
materials can be used to outfit the jewelry. A problem
with this technology is the extreme amount of detail that
the printer must be able to handle to create fine objects.
This also comes down to the type of material that the
creator uses. A material like gold would tend to be more
malleable than titanium.
An issue with this technology is an extension of the
counterfeit clothing industry. Fake labels and designs are
placed on generic clothing and marked up in price to
provide a false sense of worth. A 3D printer would make
it easier to create these types of clothes, as a computer
would easily be able to manipulate graphics to print.
5. Summary
The use of 3D printers and scanners has made massive
headway in recent years. This has led to new innovations
and uses for the technology. There are countless uses for
3D printing and with each use comes ethical and
sociological concerns.
The first major use of 3D printers exists in the
biotechnology and medical community. There have been
many major strides within recent years. The technology
exists to 3D print organs using cells for use in labs and
for transplants. Skin cells used in a 3D printer can be
used to help with skin grafting for burn patients or others
in need. A number of external uses of 3D printing for the
body exist such as a new form of cast that is both more
comfortable and more effective than the standard,
common casts of today. 3D printing is also being used in
the orthopedic prosthesis community to create more
effective and more affordable prostheses. In the future,
3D printers could be used to create cybernetic
enhancements to the human body. This could raise
concerns over their usage and existence. In the dental
field, 3D printers and scanners are being used to create
effective models and molds so that the information can
be easily stored on a computer network for posterity.
The second major use and cause of concern of 3D
printers is their use in the production of weapons,
especially guns. Cody Wilson of Defense Distributed has
successfully created both an AR-15 lower receiver and
single-use to few-use pistols using 3D printing. This has
raised major concern with the groups who both want to
restrict and loosen gun controls. Although it is possible
to produce other weapons with 3D printing, that tends to
be no concern for the popular media.
There are many different uses that are both in the
prototype phase and the idea phase. The first concept is
the 3D printing of housing. This could bring easy, safe,
low cost housing to many in need. The second concept is
the 3D printing of food. This could help feed those who
are hungry, expedite the preparation of food and change
the way that Americans consume fast food. Another
concept to consider is the impact that 3D printing could
have upon the economy with changes to the way firms
compete and the fundamental changing of the economy
of scale concept. Artificial intelligence will be affected by
3D printing when it comes to the creation of the bodies of
robots. 3D printing will also have a major impact and
benefit to the future of missions to space. The common
material could help astronauts cut down on waste and
provide them with anything they could need with access
to limited resources. The rise of makerspaces, places
where artists and those with ideas can go to make their
ideas come to life could inspire people to create and
invent. Since 3D printers have the ability to replicate

9. famous art down to the exact brush stroke, questions of
copyright and the worth of art must be examined.
Another possibility for 3D printing would be the printing
of clothing and jewelry. This impact could reduce the
waste of undesirable clothing or the user customizes each
piece of jewelry.
The future of 3D printing and scanning will forever
change the way that society lives their daily lives. If the
prediction that every American home will have a 3D
printer comes to fruition, the world can expect to see a
change to just about every single facet of life. To ignore
this technology and its advancements would be blind.
Those who have opened their eyes to the advancements
that have come with 3D printing see a brighter future.
References
[1] F. Costrel. “Doctors Show Why 3D Printing Holds
'Limitless' Potential For Medicine” Retrieved November,
2014 Available:
http://www.businessinsider.com/medical-breakthroughs-
using-3d-printing-2014-8 [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[2] D. Kardashian, "Osteoid Medical cast, attachable
bone stimulator". Available:
http://competition.adesignaward.com/design.php?
ID=34151. [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[3] R. L. Sheridan, “Background,” in Burns: A Practical
Approach to Immediate Treatment and Long-Term Care,
1st
ed. Boca Raton: T&F, 2012.
[4] K. Sanderson, “Download a drug, then press print”
New Scientist [serial online]. Available: MasterFILE
Complete. [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[5] V. Mironov, “Organ printing: computer-aided jet-
based 3D tissue engineering” TRENDS in Biotechnology
[serial online]. Available: http://ac.els-
cdn.com/S0167779903000337/1-s2.0-
S0167779903000337-main.pdf?_tid=7d35915a-795c-
11e4-8a90-
00000aab0f6c&acdnat=1417440067_e886d20655d217b4
e9aa1880fdc6d51a. [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[6] C. Neilsen, “O&P Trends and Statistics”. Available:
http://www.opcareers.org/assets/pdf/TrendsFINAL.pdf.
[Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[7] S. Bhatia, “3D-printed prosthetics roll off the
presses”. Chem. Eng. Prog. 110(5), pp. 28-33. 2014.
Available: http://0-
search.proquest.com.libcat.uncw.edu/docview/152747504
5?accountid=14606. [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[8] N. Hultin, “Guns, anthropology, and cultural
relativism: A response to Hugh Gusterson's ‘Making a
killing’”. Anthropology Today. 29(2), pp. 24-25. 2013.
Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-8322.12019.
[Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[9] A. Greenberg, “Meet The 'Liberator': Test-Firing The
World's First Fully 3D-Printed Gun,” forbes.com. 5,
May, 2013. [Online]. Available:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/05/05/
meet-the-liberator-test-firing-the-worlds-first-fully-3d-
printed-gun/. [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[10] M. Burt, “Differences among Homeless Single
Women, Women with Children, and Single Men” Social
Problems, vol. 36, no. 5, pp. 508-524, December, 1989.
[Online Serial]. Available:
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3096815. [Accessed Nov. 30,
2014].
[11] R. Stott, “A Giant 3D Printer Builds Ten Houses In
One Day,” Huffington Post, para 1, September 8, 2014.
[Online], Available:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/08/3d-printed-
houses_n_5773408.html. [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[12] I. Petrick, and T. Simpson, "3D Printing Disrupts
Manufacturing," Research Technology Management, vol
56, no. 6, December 2013. [Online Serial]. Available:
MasterFILE Complete,
http://www.ebscohost.com/public/masterfile-complete.
[Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[13] A. Shah, "Jimmy The 3D-Printed Robot Coming
Soon From Intel," Good Gear Guide, June 2014. [Online
Serial]. Available: MasterFILE Complete,
http://www.ebscohost.com/public/masterfile-complete.
[Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].

10. famous art down to the exact brush stroke, questions of
copyright and the worth of art must be examined.
Another possibility for 3D printing would be the printing
of clothing and jewelry. This impact could reduce the
waste of undesirable clothing or the user customizes each
piece of jewelry.
The future of 3D printing and scanning will forever
change the way that society lives their daily lives. If the
prediction that every American home will have a 3D
printer comes to fruition, the world can expect to see a
change to just about every single facet of life. To ignore
this technology and its advancements would be blind.
Those who have opened their eyes to the advancements
that have come with 3D printing see a brighter future.
References
[1] F. Costrel. “Doctors Show Why 3D Printing Holds
'Limitless' Potential For Medicine” Retrieved November,
2014 Available:
http://www.businessinsider.com/medical-breakthroughs-
using-3d-printing-2014-8 [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[2] D. Kardashian, "Osteoid Medical cast, attachable
bone stimulator". Available:
http://competition.adesignaward.com/design.php?
ID=34151. [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[3] R. L. Sheridan, “Background,” in Burns: A Practical
Approach to Immediate Treatment and Long-Term Care,
1st
ed. Boca Raton: T&F, 2012.
[4] K. Sanderson, “Download a drug, then press print”
New Scientist [serial online]. Available: MasterFILE
Complete. [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[5] V. Mironov, “Organ printing: computer-aided jet-
based 3D tissue engineering” TRENDS in Biotechnology
[serial online]. Available: http://ac.els-
cdn.com/S0167779903000337/1-s2.0-
S0167779903000337-main.pdf?_tid=7d35915a-795c-
11e4-8a90-
00000aab0f6c&acdnat=1417440067_e886d20655d217b4
e9aa1880fdc6d51a. [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[6] C. Neilsen, “O&P Trends and Statistics”. Available:
http://www.opcareers.org/assets/pdf/TrendsFINAL.pdf.
[Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[7] S. Bhatia, “3D-printed prosthetics roll off the
presses”. Chem. Eng. Prog. 110(5), pp. 28-33. 2014.
Available: http://0-
search.proquest.com.libcat.uncw.edu/docview/152747504
5?accountid=14606. [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[8] N. Hultin, “Guns, anthropology, and cultural
relativism: A response to Hugh Gusterson's ‘Making a
killing’”. Anthropology Today. 29(2), pp. 24-25. 2013.
Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-8322.12019.
[Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[9] A. Greenberg, “Meet The 'Liberator': Test-Firing The
World's First Fully 3D-Printed Gun,” forbes.com. 5,
May, 2013. [Online]. Available:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/05/05/
meet-the-liberator-test-firing-the-worlds-first-fully-3d-
printed-gun/. [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[10] M. Burt, “Differences among Homeless Single
Women, Women with Children, and Single Men” Social
Problems, vol. 36, no. 5, pp. 508-524, December, 1989.
[Online Serial]. Available:
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3096815. [Accessed Nov. 30,
2014].
[11] R. Stott, “A Giant 3D Printer Builds Ten Houses In
One Day,” Huffington Post, para 1, September 8, 2014.
[Online], Available:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/08/3d-printed-
houses_n_5773408.html. [Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[12] I. Petrick, and T. Simpson, "3D Printing Disrupts
Manufacturing," Research Technology Management, vol
56, no. 6, December 2013. [Online Serial]. Available:
MasterFILE Complete,
http://www.ebscohost.com/public/masterfile-complete.
[Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].
[13] A. Shah, "Jimmy The 3D-Printed Robot Coming
Soon From Intel," Good Gear Guide, June 2014. [Online
Serial]. Available: MasterFILE Complete,
http://www.ebscohost.com/public/masterfile-complete.
[Accessed Nov. 30, 2014].