Not sure if this is the right kind of revolutionary science because it’s also completely weird and kinda creepy, but hey it might be the norm in a few years time, who knows?
Right now when you’re pregnant you’re probably going to get an ultrasound of your baby or a 3D scan to check that it’s doing OK in the run up to it actually popping out of the womb. But now there’s a new option – you can receive a 3D printed version of your baby’s foetus. The idea has been put forward by an American firm called 3D babies (imaginative) created by a couple named Gerrard and Katie Bessette. They aim to create a unique baby figurine from a 3D printer which would use an ultrasound as a guide.
Their website goes into more detail about the process: ‘Imagine holding your baby before he or she is born. At 3D Babies, we create an adorable baby figurine resembling your baby’s facial features and body position. We use your 3D/4D ultrasound images or newborn baby pictures to create a unique artistic representation of your baby using the latest computer graphics and 3D printing technology’. They offer three sizes of baby with a full size print of a baby foetus going for £244 and a mini one setting you back £122.
The website also claims that the 3D printed baby is ‘a great way to share the excitement of your new baby’ and also provides a ‘treasured family remembrance of your pregnancy’. Although it is possible that people could think of this as being like that, it also strikes me that I wouldn’t want a 3D printed foetus on my mantelpiece to remind me of when my kid was in its mother’s womb. I doubt any of my friends or relatives would want that either, but hey I might be wrong. It just seems kind of icky and gross.
It doesn’t seem like I’m alone with this opinion though, as the business hasn’t even managed to get the investment needed to kick start (excuse the pun) into shape. The couple have set up a crowdsourcing page to try and raise the £15,000 needed to purchase the Stratasys U-Print SE Plus 3D printer they need to run the business successfully. If that isn’t an indicator that the business is going to fail, I’m not sure what is.
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