Gartner's Top Predictions for 2014 - 3D Printing and Crazy Stuff

Gotta say, reading Gartner's 2014 list of predictions for the next 3-10 years feels like I am reading a science fiction novel. Gartners view of 2020 seems to be straight out of a mid 20th century sci-fi book for sure. In it they include several very interesting predictions, including many related to 3D Printing.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/i...F4CswyUsipHMXq

Gartners report says: "3D printing will create intellectual property rights risks as well as ethical dilemmas about human transplants."

They feel that within 3 years there will begin to be human organ transplants which are sourced from 3D Printers rather than other humans. They also believe that within a few years hybrid human/other animal organs may begin to be printed making for super humans to some extent.

In Just 4 years, by 2018 they believe that there will have been over $100 billion, yes $100,000,000,000.000 in losses from intellectual property theft via 3d modelling and printing of products.

The report really does center around 3D Printing ad robotics, pointing out that there will likely be socioeconomic issues coming about that will dwarf the Occupy Wall Street movement of 2 years ago. It's an extremely interesting read:
https://www.pleio.nl/file/download/23371392

They will definitely need to come up with a solution for the intellectual property issue. 3D Scanning is going to cause more issues than 3D Printing. People will begin selling 3D designs for items that have copyrights, etc. However, we've gone through it and are still going through it in the music/movie/gaming industry for years. It's something that will be an issue but won't be any different than the piracy out there today.