Original post: Slipped into the Agricultural Appropriations Bill, which passed through Congress last week, was a small provision that's a big deal for Monsanto and its opponents. The provision protects genetically modified seeds from litigation in the face of health risks and has thus been dubbed the "Monsanto Protection Act" by activists who oppose the biotech giant. President Barack Obama signed the spending bill, including the provision, into law on Tuesday

Since the act's passing, more than 250,000 people have signed a petition opposing the provision and a rally, consisting largely of farmers organized by the Food Democracy Now network, protested outside the White House Wednesday. Not only has anger been directed at the Monsanto Protection Act's content, but the way in which the provision was passed through Congress without appropriate review by the Agricultural or Judiciary Committees. The biotech rider instead was introduced anonymously as the larger bill progressed -- little wonder food activists are accusing lobbyists and Congress members of backroom dealings.

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So far the technology, which enables desktop-size machines to "print" objects out of materials as diverse as recycled plastics and chocolate, is mainly the domain of professional designers, who have used it for years, and a growing band of early adopters. The machines tend to be slow and while prices have dropped, there's still not a killer app that has compelled mass interest in a $2,000-plus machine. The "filament" -- that is to say, ink -- isn't cheap either.

But the still small industry is betting that the ability to manufacture whatever you want whenever you want it is too compelling not to catch on. Just start to imagine the possibilities. And the implications. And now here's something you probably didn't get to: printing bodily organs.

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