Duncan Graham-Rowe writing for New Scientist on Bad breaks fixed fast by bone 'printer':
Shattered bones could soon be replaced by segments of artificial bone that can be "printed" within hours. The artificial bone is strong enough to bear weight, and would slowly be replaced by new bone.
The technique could greatly improve the treatment of bad breaks, preventing patients ending up with shorter limbs after reconstructive surgery and perhaps even saving limbs in cases where doctors might now opt for amputation.
Cool, but the drawback is:
The method has only been tested in culture and on animals, but Vaidyanathan is confident that it will scale up to humans. It will have to undergo rigorous safety testing before the US Food and Drug Administration will allow it to be implanted in people, so it could be years before trials can begin.
If the USDA can, it will delay this as long as possible. Which is, of course, the primary function of all bureaucracy.