Scientists at the University of Texas have created a special DNA 'glue' that could hold the key to hospitals being able to 3D print their own organs.
The advanced ooze is made up of highly specific DNA strands that will play nice when bonding with each other. While DNA is very weak, the scientists have created a micro bead that allows the tiny strands to bond.
It is -- as you can imagine -- an astronomically complex process and while creating something like an ear or bladder might be 'easy' enough (read: 'horrendously hard') the 3D printing technique could help to create far more complicated structures such as livers.
The process is still in the early stages, of course. Indeed it's widely acknowledged that while the technique is sound, much work is needed on making the DNA more robust so it can survive the process and then grow as intended.
If successful however it puts us one step closer to hospitals being able to scan your organs, and then re-grow them should you run into any difficulty. Which could be handy, given how mortality itself shows no signs of being persuaded to give up and go home.