Answer :
Final answer:
Dr. Anthony Atala discusses the challenge of inadequate kidney donations for regenerative medicine at the TED Conference. He introduces the potential of 3D printing organs but also acknowledges significant obstacles impeding clinical progress such as organ complexity and the need for biocompatibility.
Explanation:
Dr. Anthony Atala pointed out the challenge of insufficient kidney donations in the field of regenerative medicine at the TED Conference in March 2011. The talk explored the innovative solution of 3D printing organs, such as kidneys. However, the adoption of this technology faces significant hurdles, including the complexity of organ structures, the intricacies of vascularization, and the need for organ biocompatibility, making clinical advances scarce. Similar concepts were discussed by Lee Cronin in a 2012 TED talk, where he envisioned the creation of custom-tailored drugs using a chemical "ink" and a 3D printer. Yet, both concepts, while promising, demonstrate that the pathway to clinical application is complex and filled with unknowns, particularly regarding the affordability, government regulation, and ethical considerations.
