Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2007 Feb;33(2):76-81.
doi: 10.1136/jme.2006.016865.

Justifying surgery's last taboo: the ethics of face transplants

Michael Freeman  1 , Pauline Abou Jaoudé
Affiliations

Justifying surgery's last taboo: the ethics of face transplants

Michael Freeman et al. J Med Ethics. 2007 Feb.

Abstract

Should face transplants be undertaken? This article examines the ethical problems involved from the perspective of the recipient, looking particularly at the question of identity, the donor and the donor's family, and the disfigured community and society more generally. Concern is expressed that full face transplants are going ahead.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None.

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Wiggins O, Barker J, Martinez S.et al On the ethics of facial transplantation research. Am J Bioethics 200441–12. - PubMed
    1. Spurgeon B. Surgeons pleased with patient's progress after face transplant. BMJ 20053311359 - PMC - PubMed
    1. Butler P, Clarke A, Hettiaratchy S. Facial transplantation: a new option in reconstruction of severe facial injury. BMJ 20053311349–1350. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Concar D. The boldest cut. New Scientist 29 May 200432–37. - PubMed
    1. Royal College of Surgeons in England Facial transplantation: Working Party Report. London: Royal College of Surgeons, 2003 - PubMed