Designer Bodies – the capabilities of 3d printing (or additive manufacturing) are reshaping entire industries. With the application of that concept to biology, the vision of designer bodies is becoming increasingly plausible. And while our current culture may obsess over the typical movie star physique, more creative minds are conjuring up not only entirely new appearances, but also advanced capabilities. Are “body by Chanel” or “performance by bodysport” in our near term future?
Need blue skin, four arms, or a tail? Want to augment and extend what you already have? Valkyrie Ice is here to help you become your own avatar. Does this idea sound too weird or far fetched? The basic technology already exists to print out custom organs, augment the body with its own cells, and much more.
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Earlier in the year there was a bit of coverage in the mainstream media about breast re-construction and augmentation with stem cells when popular TV actress Suzanne Somers underwent the procedure. Using 3D printing and related bio-constructive techniques it is already possible to design and build custom organs and other body parts. For example Anthony Atala’s talk at TED describes various methods for constructing, and printing out, human tissues, organs and other replacement parts. Many of these methods are using a persons’ own cells as a starting point so they do not carry some of the risks of prior surgical and transplant methods. Custom designed bodies and replacement parts for aesthetic appearances are entirely possible using these same exact technologies and tools.
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