Is it legal?
In Australia 3D printing is legal but some problems arise. These include the following...
1. Is 3D printing the new piracy?
(Coraggio 2015)
Copyright are rights in certain creative works such as text, artistic works, music, computer programs, sound recordings and films. The rights are granted exclusively to the copyright owner to reproduce the material, and for some material, the right to perform or show the work to the public. Copyright owners can prevent others from reproducing or communicating their work without their permission or may sell these rights to someone else. (http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/copyright-guidelines/copyright---a-general-overview/1-1-what-is-copyright->.) 3D printing may involve copying a certain object or idea which poses many concerns, and begs the question of what is legal and what isn't.
2. Who is liable for the products manufactured through 3D printers?
(Coraggio 2015)
Currently the creators of the 3D Printers are liable for the peoples illegal actions due to them supplying them with the resources to do so. 3D printing will evolve over time which raises some concerns, people may be able to produce drugs, actual guns or even knifes. If a person was to get hurt using the technology to produce illegal items then who is responsible for letting them use the technology. (Coraggio 2015)
3. Are replicas privacy threats? (Coraggio 2015)
The very replicas made by people using the 3D printers may be an invasion of privacy, a doctor may create an exact replica of someones kidney. When the doctor has finished creating the kidney, then it may go to someone else. This is an invasion of privacy.
Organ Transplants have been legal since 1984. The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 allows us to transplant any organs to a body in need. ('1.1 What is copyright-' n.d., accessed October 26, 2016, from <http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/copyright-guidelines/copyright---a-general-overview/1-1-what-is-copyright->.) There is no evidence that states there is a law against transplanting 3D printed organs in Australia. Currently there has been no cases of transplanted organs created by the 3D printer. There are many cases of parts created by the 3D printer that have been transplanted. There was a case that involved an 83-year-old woman that had ruined her lower jaw. 3D printers made a brand new titanium jaw for her. ('Transplant jaw made by 3D printer claimed as first - BBC News' 2012)
1. Is 3D printing the new piracy?
(Coraggio 2015)
Copyright are rights in certain creative works such as text, artistic works, music, computer programs, sound recordings and films. The rights are granted exclusively to the copyright owner to reproduce the material, and for some material, the right to perform or show the work to the public. Copyright owners can prevent others from reproducing or communicating their work without their permission or may sell these rights to someone else. (http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/copyright-guidelines/copyright---a-general-overview/1-1-what-is-copyright->.) 3D printing may involve copying a certain object or idea which poses many concerns, and begs the question of what is legal and what isn't.
2. Who is liable for the products manufactured through 3D printers?
(Coraggio 2015)
Currently the creators of the 3D Printers are liable for the peoples illegal actions due to them supplying them with the resources to do so. 3D printing will evolve over time which raises some concerns, people may be able to produce drugs, actual guns or even knifes. If a person was to get hurt using the technology to produce illegal items then who is responsible for letting them use the technology. (Coraggio 2015)
3. Are replicas privacy threats? (Coraggio 2015)
The very replicas made by people using the 3D printers may be an invasion of privacy, a doctor may create an exact replica of someones kidney. When the doctor has finished creating the kidney, then it may go to someone else. This is an invasion of privacy.
Organ Transplants have been legal since 1984. The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 allows us to transplant any organs to a body in need. ('1.1 What is copyright-' n.d., accessed October 26, 2016, from <http://www.smartcopying.edu.au/copyright-guidelines/copyright---a-general-overview/1-1-what-is-copyright->.) There is no evidence that states there is a law against transplanting 3D printed organs in Australia. Currently there has been no cases of transplanted organs created by the 3D printer. There are many cases of parts created by the 3D printer that have been transplanted. There was a case that involved an 83-year-old woman that had ruined her lower jaw. 3D printers made a brand new titanium jaw for her. ('Transplant jaw made by 3D printer claimed as first - BBC News' 2012)
Is it ethical?
Major problems include...
1. Justice and access (Dodds 2015)
3D printing can create anything from prosthetic's to titanium jaws. By using 3D printing to create prosthetic's, it will lower the cost of them which means it can go to people in need for a less price. But in doing so, this means that pharmacies will not be making enough money so tehy will put up their medicine prices. This means that less medicine will go to people in need, especially the people who need it to survive.
2. Will 3D procedures be safe? (Dodds 2015)
It will be hard to test the safety of the procedure due to finding a willing participant. It is also hard to prove this safety to the Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) which approves such procedures. The patients safety is most important and if the method isn't safe then it will not be approved. Even when people have the ability to produce organs that work, people in need of organs will have to wait quite some time to be offered one.
3. Human enhancement (Dodds 2015)
There is the debate about if us humans should use 3D printing to enable our bodies to enhance greatly. For example, should we replace our bones with stronger ones printed using the 3D printer. This is a similar debate to athletes that have specially made equipment for them to use on the track due to them having a defect, its the same principle. 3D printing can help us enhance our skills to take down world known criminals. 3D printing is evolving every minute and only with time, the answers will emerge.
Maria Livia Rizzo, a leading lawyer explained. One issue that is becoming very clear is that a “desktop manufacturing device” eliminates the boundary between user and producer, enabling anyone to 3D print any object they want without any further control. “This is particularly apparent and mediatically relevant in the case of plastic weapons,” Maria Livia explained, “However it is applicable to any type of product, from toys to food containers.” (Sher 2015)
1. Justice and access (Dodds 2015)
3D printing can create anything from prosthetic's to titanium jaws. By using 3D printing to create prosthetic's, it will lower the cost of them which means it can go to people in need for a less price. But in doing so, this means that pharmacies will not be making enough money so tehy will put up their medicine prices. This means that less medicine will go to people in need, especially the people who need it to survive.
2. Will 3D procedures be safe? (Dodds 2015)
It will be hard to test the safety of the procedure due to finding a willing participant. It is also hard to prove this safety to the Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) which approves such procedures. The patients safety is most important and if the method isn't safe then it will not be approved. Even when people have the ability to produce organs that work, people in need of organs will have to wait quite some time to be offered one.
3. Human enhancement (Dodds 2015)
There is the debate about if us humans should use 3D printing to enable our bodies to enhance greatly. For example, should we replace our bones with stronger ones printed using the 3D printer. This is a similar debate to athletes that have specially made equipment for them to use on the track due to them having a defect, its the same principle. 3D printing can help us enhance our skills to take down world known criminals. 3D printing is evolving every minute and only with time, the answers will emerge.
Maria Livia Rizzo, a leading lawyer explained. One issue that is becoming very clear is that a “desktop manufacturing device” eliminates the boundary between user and producer, enabling anyone to 3D print any object they want without any further control. “This is particularly apparent and mediatically relevant in the case of plastic weapons,” Maria Livia explained, “However it is applicable to any type of product, from toys to food containers.” (Sher 2015)
Gif: ('3D Printing GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY' n.d.)