Case Sparks Debate About Teen Decision Making in Health Essay

Submitted By aahm313
Words: 466
Pages: 2

3D Printing Raises Ethical Issues in Medicine
Ali Ahmad
MDA 1350
Oakland Community College

The ethical dilemma presented in this article involves the advancement of technology, resulting in the ability for orthopedic surgeons to construct artificial bones through 3D printing. This technology also paves the way for advancement in stem cell research. The article mentions, “In the future, 3D printing technologies may be used together with advances in stem cell research to print living bone cells from patients' own cells or functioning organs for transplant (such as kidneys or hearts)” (Dodds, 2015). As with any new technology, the cost is always high, one of the issues includes an ongoing problem: equality in access to health care. This problem is not only specific to treatments with the latest technology, but has been an issue with general care, including a simple check-up. The second issue is regarding the safety and effectiveness of the treatment. This brings up the question of who this treatment will be tested on. Lastly, the issue of whether this technology can enhance the capability of a human, making “super humans”.
Some of the legal issues involved include the high cost of this treatment and how it will be obtainable by those more privileged. The Affordable Care Act promotes equal opportunity for all citizens. Its premise is that access to quality health care is a civil and human right, but ironically, there is a high population of people in the U.S. who are uninsured and do not receive equal care, let alone treatment. The second issue involves properly testing this treatment before making it available to the public. The AMA has strict guidelines in making sure research is conducted in a humane manner and the participants are debriefed with informed consent. Informed consent involves informing the subject about their rights, the purpose of the study, the procedures, and the risks of