Will.i.am Warns of a Future With 3-D Printed Humans

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Rapper and entrepreneur Will.i.am warned in a new interview that the world will need “new morals” to deal with the advent of 3-d printed humans.

The Black Eyed Peas founder predicted that the technology will exist within “our lifetime,” in an interview with Denizen magazine, and will push “humanity to have to adhere to new responsibilities.”

“New morals, new laws and new codes are going to have to be implemented,” he said. “Humans – as great as we are – are pretty irresponsible. Ask the planet. Ask the environment.”

3-D printing technology has been used to create human organs in the recent years—a development that Will.i.am says suggests that printing a full human is around the corner.

Will.i.am, once of the Black Eyed Peas, serves as the creative director of a 3-D printing company.

[Denizen]

See Photos of Europe's Largest 3D Scanner

Martin Benes from 3D gang company demonstrates one of the stages of 3D scanning on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. The 3D scanner is the largest in continental Europe, with 115 sensors, and is designed to scan objects, people and animals.
Martin Benes from 3D gang company demonstrates one of the stages of 3D scanning on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. The 3D scanner is the largest in continental Europe, with 115 sensors, and is designed to scan objects, people and animals. Matej Divizna—Getty Images
Martin Benes from 3D gang company is seen through the viewfinder as he demonstrates one of the stages of 3D scanning on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic.
Martin Benes from 3D gang company is seen through the viewfinder as he demonstrates one of the stages of 3D scanning on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. Matej Divizna—Getty Images
Europe's Largest 3D Scanner
Martin Benes works with a 3D model on the computer on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. Matej Divizna—Getty Images
Europe's Largest 3D Scanner
Martin Benes works with a 3D model of himself on the computer on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. Matej Divizna—Getty Images
Europe's Largest 3D Scanner
Martin Benes from 3D gang company holds a printed figurine of himself on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. Matej Divizna—Getty Images
Europe's Largest 3D Scanner
Martin Benes from 3D gang company demonstrates one of the stages of 3D scanning on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. Matej Divizna—Getty Images
Europe's Largest 3D Scanner
Printed figurines stand on display at the 3D gang company on August 26, 2014 in Prague, Czech Republic. Matej Divizna—Getty Images

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Write to Justin Worland at justin.worland@time.com