How will the intersection of 3D bioprinting and regenerative medicine transform healthcare, and what are the potential societal impacts of organ fabrication?

ANSWER: The convergence of 3D bioprinting and regenerative medicine is set to transform healthcare by enabling the fabrication of functional organs and tissues, customized to individual patients. This could dramatically reduce organ transplant waitlists and rejection rates, while improving recovery outcomes. Societally, it may increase longevity, shift the organ donation landscape, and raise ethical questions regarding access and the nature of human enhancement, necessitating new regulations and discussions around healthcare equity and the definition of life.