Bioprinting and Intellectual Property: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Road Ahead
Bioprinting, an innovative combination of biotechnology and additive manufacturing, has emerged as a transformative technology in healthcare, enabling the fabrication of functional tissues, organs, and patient-specific implants. The implementation of the aforementioned, however, introduces unique in...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Bioengineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/1/76 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832589041400283136 |
|---|---|
| author | Antreas Kantaros Theodore Ganetsos Florian Ion Tiberiu Petrescu Elli Alysandratou |
| author_facet | Antreas Kantaros Theodore Ganetsos Florian Ion Tiberiu Petrescu Elli Alysandratou |
| author_sort | Antreas Kantaros |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Bioprinting, an innovative combination of biotechnology and additive manufacturing, has emerged as a transformative technology in healthcare, enabling the fabrication of functional tissues, organs, and patient-specific implants. The implementation of the aforementioned, however, introduces unique intellectual property (IP) challenges that extend beyond conventional biotechnology. The study explores three critical areas of concern: IP protection for bioprinting hardware and bioinks, ownership and ethical management of digital files derived from biological data, and the implications of commercializing bioprinted tissues and organs. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the paper analyzes existing IP frameworks, highlights their limitations when applied to bioprinting, and examines ethical dilemmas, such as ownership of bioprinted human tissues and the commodification of biological innovations. Findings suggest that current IP laws inadequately address the complexities of bioprinting, particularly in managing the intersection of proprietary technologies and ethical considerations. The study underscores the need for adaptive legal and ethical frameworks to balance innovation with equitable access and sustainability. Recommendations include the development of tailored IP policies for bioprinting and enhanced international collaboration to harmonize legal protections across jurisdictions. This work aims to provide a comprehensive foundation for stakeholders to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of bioprinting IP. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4f6d2e89c1d649bc89b62ffa478298ae |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2306-5354 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Bioengineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-4f6d2e89c1d649bc89b62ffa478298ae2025-01-24T13:23:11ZengMDPI AGBioengineering2306-53542025-01-011217610.3390/bioengineering12010076Bioprinting and Intellectual Property: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Road AheadAntreas Kantaros0Theodore Ganetsos1Florian Ion Tiberiu Petrescu2Elli Alysandratou3Department of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, Greece“Theory of Mechanisms and Robots” Department, Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Robotics, Bucharest Polytechnic University, 060042 Bucharest, RomaniaSchool of Humanities, Hellenic Open University, 26335 Patras, GreeceBioprinting, an innovative combination of biotechnology and additive manufacturing, has emerged as a transformative technology in healthcare, enabling the fabrication of functional tissues, organs, and patient-specific implants. The implementation of the aforementioned, however, introduces unique intellectual property (IP) challenges that extend beyond conventional biotechnology. The study explores three critical areas of concern: IP protection for bioprinting hardware and bioinks, ownership and ethical management of digital files derived from biological data, and the implications of commercializing bioprinted tissues and organs. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the paper analyzes existing IP frameworks, highlights their limitations when applied to bioprinting, and examines ethical dilemmas, such as ownership of bioprinted human tissues and the commodification of biological innovations. Findings suggest that current IP laws inadequately address the complexities of bioprinting, particularly in managing the intersection of proprietary technologies and ethical considerations. The study underscores the need for adaptive legal and ethical frameworks to balance innovation with equitable access and sustainability. Recommendations include the development of tailored IP policies for bioprinting and enhanced international collaboration to harmonize legal protections across jurisdictions. This work aims to provide a comprehensive foundation for stakeholders to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of bioprinting IP.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/1/76bioprintingintellectual propertybioinksbioprinting hardwaredigital design filesethical considerations |
| spellingShingle | Antreas Kantaros Theodore Ganetsos Florian Ion Tiberiu Petrescu Elli Alysandratou Bioprinting and Intellectual Property: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Road Ahead Bioengineering bioprinting intellectual property bioinks bioprinting hardware digital design files ethical considerations |
| title | Bioprinting and Intellectual Property: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Road Ahead |
| title_full | Bioprinting and Intellectual Property: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Road Ahead |
| title_fullStr | Bioprinting and Intellectual Property: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Road Ahead |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bioprinting and Intellectual Property: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Road Ahead |
| title_short | Bioprinting and Intellectual Property: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Road Ahead |
| title_sort | bioprinting and intellectual property challenges opportunities and the road ahead |
| topic | bioprinting intellectual property bioinks bioprinting hardware digital design files ethical considerations |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5354/12/1/76 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT antreaskantaros bioprintingandintellectualpropertychallengesopportunitiesandtheroadahead AT theodoreganetsos bioprintingandintellectualpropertychallengesopportunitiesandtheroadahead AT florianiontiberiupetrescu bioprintingandintellectualpropertychallengesopportunitiesandtheroadahead AT ellialysandratou bioprintingandintellectualpropertychallengesopportunitiesandtheroadahead |