All Ears

Children receive new ears grown from their own cells in world first
Feb 2018, The Independent

The new technique involves taking a scan of the child’s unaffected ear, reversing the dimensions and 3D-printing a biodegradable mould punctuated with tiny holes.

Cartilage cells taken from the recipient’s other, unaffected ear are then used to fill the holes while the new ear is still in the lab.

Over three months the cartilage cells begin to grow in the shape of the mould, and the mould itself begins to break down.

While this process is underway, the ear is grafted onto the recipient.
-BBC


Hearing this news, I can't help but to remember the documentary of kidnapping in Brazil, Manda Bala (Send A Bullet).

Specialty doctors, or plastic surgeons, were making a living solely by reattaching ears that had been forcibly removed from kidnapped victims with the intent to extort for ransom. The family who received the ear would send it to the doctor, who would hold on to it in his refrigerator until the ransom was paid, and the ear could then be safely reattached.

If you haven't seen the film, please do, and if you take NJ Transit, definitely watch the film, so you can feel better that you don't have to take a helicopter or a bulletproof car to work.