Scientists say they have greatly advanced the possibility being able to reproduce the body's organs the use 3D printing. Replacement organs could be created using a new technique bio-printing organic tissue. This allows scientists to create networks thin tubes and vessels, those used in our body the flow of blood and air. These are called vascular networks. Bio-engineering professor Jordan Miller explained why the breakthrough was so important. He said: "One the biggest roadblocks to generating functional tissue replacements has been our inability to print the complex [vascular networks] that can supply nutrients to densely populated tissues."
Professor Kelly Stevens the University of Washington wrote the difficulties scientists had recreating a vascular network. She said: "Tissue engineering has struggled this for a generation." She believes the new breakthrough will allow medical practices to change the future. She asked: "If we can print tissues that look and now even breathe more the healthy tissues our bodies, will they also then functionally behave more like those tissues?" Professor Stevens said "This is an important question, because how well a bio-printed tissue functions will affect how successful it will be a therapy." Scientists hope this method will help millions people waiting an organ transplant.
