Nathan Dungy

CCDE
Tech argument Rough
Draft
October 5

Dark Side of 3D Printers

In the years to come technology is starting to become an every day necessity. One Tech
that is beginning to emerge is 3D Printers. The possibilities are endless, from every day house
hold appliances to an industrial manufacturing process. With every great product comes a
negative impact. These machines are capable of creating any matter based object from scratch
using a digital blue print. In an article it suggests, The versatility of the 3D printing technology
has led some to predict that it would herald a third industrial revolution. (3D Printing Comes Of
Age, 2015, p.4) The government should take action now and put restrictions before issues
develop in a large scale. These issues can range from gun control, illegal chemical compositions,
as well as manufacturing and economic problems.
The government should take into account that it will conflict with some legal issues. One
of the most controversial topics being discussed is gun control. The printer can print a plastic
molded gun that is fully functional. All that is needed is a digital blue print which has been
downloaded by many consumers. One issue this will uphold is that the gun is not traceable. With
no serial number the perp will have less evidence against him or her. In addition to this, the
weapon is constructed with plastic. The plastic weapon can pass through security metal detectors
without setting off alarms. If we cant detect the weapon then it will pose a threat to any high end
official of national security. To put into account a bomb that was constructed out of plastic by a
3D printer can be smuggled into a plane with no detection. There should be limitations to what
can be printed.

Nathan Dungy
CCDE
Tech argument Rough
Draft
October 5

Another issue that will develop is illegal composition of chemical compounds. With
advancements in technology pharmaceutical drugs can be created from the 3D printers. With a
simple chemical formula the printer can combine the compounds to create pharmaceutical drugs.
The problem with this is regular people who have no background on drugs and the effects that
they have on a living organism are able to create them and sell them to people. These drugs that
may have a chance of being unstable can be sold in a black market and have a negative effect on
people. Not only can pharmaceutical drugs be created but also illegal drugs. Cocaine can be
created in a matter of hours instead of days. This will be difficult for government enforcements
to trace with the small time window they have to locate them.
Lastly there could be legal issues with product copy right and liability. With a schematic
of the product anything can be printed. The author claims, 3D printers: Prices are dropping and
the possible uses are rising, but challenges include disruptions, liability questions and structural
integrity. (Beyond The Hype: The Industrial Challenges For 3D Printing, 2014, p.2). If a helmet
is printed and the user gets hurt using it then who is liable. The thing is that the product was not
tested to be used but it is identical to the manufactured one. The printer could have had a defect
or the material could have been cheap. The fact is there are to many variables to predict. As for
copy right, anything can be printed and slightly manipulated. There will be many lawsuits
pertaining to this topic. The author states, "Do-it-yourself manufacturing technology will spur
customization, speed, innovation and collaboration, but could also reduce jobs and intellectualproperty protections." (Getting Ready to Print a New Future, 2013, p.1). Something as simple as
a phone case can be created. This not only takes profit away from the company who created it

Nathan Dungy
CCDE
Tech argument Rough
Draft
October 5

but jobs will be loosed with the lack of money flow. The ripple effect will have a large impact on
the economy.
Not to say this will give us a huge advantage in many fields of work. In years to come,
organs will be created for those people in need. A prototype is in development in labs. This is
possible by laying out layers of paste. The paste is composed of individual cells with is squeezed
by a small tube. Cheap houses can be created in third world countries. The possibilities are
endless.
To conclude, 3D printers are an amazing technology to unravel. The possibilities are
endless and will give humans n advantage in many fields of study. Yes contribute positive uses
but who should be allowed to operate the machine. Not that I have anything against them but do
we all really need a 3D printer?

Nathan Dungy
CCDE
Tech argument Rough
Draft
October 5

References
Getting Ready To Print A New Future. (2013). YaleGlobal Online. Retrieved from
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/AcademicJournalsDetailsPage/AcademicJournalsDetails
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%7CA322015576&source=Bookmark&u=nm_a_dona&jsid=90111a0b11dc816d42bb7b2
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3D Printing Comes Of Age. (2015). YaleGlobal Online. Retrieved from
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/AcademicJournalsDetailsPage/AcademicJournalsDetails
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Beyond The Hype: The Industrial Challenges For 3D Printing. (2014). YaleGlobal Online.
Retrieved from
http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/ovic/AcademicJournalsDetailsPage/AcademicJournalsDetails
Window?
failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&displ
ayquery=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Journals&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighli
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Nathan Dungy
CCDE
Tech argument Rough
Draft
October 5

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