Part 8/11:
While organs like the heart remain a distant goal, advancements are being made closer to home. In 2006, a breakthrough occurred when a 3D-printed skin model was developed for testing skin care products. This model mimicked real human skin's two layers and was alive and functional, offering an alternative to animal testing—an ethical and scientific milestone.
Beyond skin, the technology is progressing toward creating miniature models of entire organs. For example, a 3D-printed knee, based on MRI scans, can help surgeons plan operations more accurately. The same technology could someday produce cartilage patches for treating osteoarthritis, using stem cells that transform into healthy tissue upon application.