Some may call it “Skinjet”

I prefer Tat-O-Matic.


I do love technology that has both a purely benevolent aspect – like helping burn victims – and affords a clever dog ample opportunity for mischief. And since we apparently have to wait a bit longer for practical, consumer-ready WonkaVision technology to hit the market, lets us pause and consider instead this from the terrific LiveScience:

Printable Skin: 'Inkjet' Breakthrough Makes Human Tissue
By Bjorn Carey Staff Writer -- posted: 01 February, 2005 7:00 a.m.

By manufacturing human skin cells using a printer similar to an inkjet, scientists have taken a significant first step toward generating new skin. The process, which could revolutionize the treatment of major skin wounds, could be ready for clinical trials in five years.

While much research needs to be done, the technique is promising, according to an expert not involved in the breakthrough. Scientists expect to eventually build commercial skin printers for hospital use. Doctors would take cells from a patient’s body, multiply them, and suspend them in a nutrient-rich liquid similar to ink. A technician would enter measurements of a patient’s wound into a computer and feed the suspended cells into the printer.

The cells would then be seeded on a plastic tissue scaffold, which provides shape and stability to the new piece of skin as it develops. The scaffold would also anchor the perfectly shaped piece of skin over the wound, once applied, keeping the graft in place until it takes hold. The scaffold would dissolve naturally over time, just as some stitches do.

"The cells are the patient’s own cells and the object is to reincorporate them into the body," project leader Brian Derby told LiveScience.
...

Oh my, where to begin? And, yes, you could obviously have a lot of jolly good fun playing around with features and perceived ethnicity. OK, past that and on to...

1. Attention fathers of teenaged daughters: Custom tattoos just got way, WAY easier.
2. Skin pockets: For those awkward moments at the Clothing Optional resorts when you don’t know exactly where to put your change and business cards, but you ain’t putting them there. Or there.
3. Coolest. Gloves. Ever.
4. No, actually I’d LOVE to wear a condom. An all-new, Very-Glad-Wrap Condom.
5. Three words: Pork Rind Farming.
6. If they look like pants, does it count as public indecency?
7. Well, you just make every flesh-based biometric device obsolete.
8. And fingerprints.
9. Does it tickle?
10. Hand wash only. Do NOT Dry Clean.