It once would have been dismissed as science fiction—but Israeli scientists claim they've made the extraordinary breakthrough of printing the first 3D heart using “ink” made of human tissue. The Tel Aviv University researchers revealed the heart Monday which they say was personalized by using a patient’s own cells and biological material. Up until now, scientists have only successfully printed simple tissues without blood vessels. “This is the first time anyone anywhere has successfully engineered and printed an entire heart replete with cells, blood vessels, ventricles and chambers,” said Prof. Tal Dvir of TAU, according to the Jerusalem Post. The heart isn't big enough for humans yet—it's roughly the size of a rabbit's heart. But scientists are confident they will be able to go on to print working human hearts and eventually replace the need for organ donations. “Maybe, in ten years, there will be organ printers in the finest hospitals around the world, and these procedures will be conducted routinely,” Dvir added.
