Imagine you are an astronaut sent on a mission. Your task is to make repairs on the Hubble Space Telescope but while working, one of the nails flies out into the vast emptiness of outer space. There are no replacement nails to use, but with the technology of 3D printing, there is a possible solution. Instead, you can simply print out a replica of the nail that is needed.

3D printing is a process in which a model or replica of a 3D object is created by stacking thin layers of material on top of each other. 3D printing uses a digital model to create any object of any shape or size. First created by Chuck Hull of 3D Systems Corp in 1984, the technology has recently become more widespread, expanding to industries including architecture, engineering, and automotive to name a few. However, 3D printing is not all fun and games. Where the limits of this new technology can reach are yet to be predicted. For instance, this technology could possibly allow for the 3D creation of functioning guns or other violent weapons. According to an article printed by The Independent, access to 3D printers is becoming increasingly more accessible and blueprints on how to create these guns are already available online. This could pose to be a problem in the coming years if legislation and action are not set into place. Scientific innovations are typically given the nod of approval but there are also cons to be considered. The advent of new technology brings along with it the benefits but not without potential tribulations. The key will be in how we as a society learn to manage and structure these technologies to most adequately benefit our communities while curtailing the possible damage.