I don't think the old story even looked at those issues. It was just 'here's this important discovery and all it gets used for is one little -- but happy -- result'.

There was a similar story about creating objects by some sort of field replicator -- but the objects only lasted a short time, and iirc only within range of the replicator. So the -- happy -- ending was, it got used only by some nice elderly couple to make free appetizer rolls to satisfy their restaurant customers. They charged only for the real food.