Posted on 07/25/2005 6:37:52 PM PDT by Born Conservative
Really? Oh, that's so sad. I feel sorry for you, having that ugly-looking thing hanging at the end of your spine. Life is tough, isn't it?
The main problem I see with this (besides the very high "ewww!" factor) is the fact that if the transplant fails ... the patient could be in very bad shape, with a necrotic, disintegrating face, or even facing death. (Sorry for the pun.) If your chances of dying are pretty high anyhow, I don't see how anyone can argue with trying a risky surgery that might fix your problem. But if your choice is between disfigurement (which is incredibly unpleasant but not fatal), or a surgery that might fix your problem and transform your life, but might also kill you eventually ... I dunno, that's just a very hard choice. I can see why the ethics panels had issues with this.
Eustacio Humphrey for The New York Times
Dr. Maria Siemionow is a leading practitioner of microsurgery.
With Osteoporosis, Fat Seems to Fill Old Bones(for those interested in stem cells)
The Claim: Muscle Turns to Fat When You Stop Working Out
Two Exercises Help Older People Stay on Their Feet
China Bird-Flu Scare Ends (poor title, different illness)
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Re: What if the transplant fails?
If the disfigured face is off and the new one is rejected or couldn't be attached for some reason, what happens? Attach the disfigured back on, or attempt to locate a second one?
Attaching the original disfigured face could only be done if measures were done to maintain its viability. I don't know how long a period of time that is just by lowering its temperature, or how low you need to lower it. Maybe locating a tissue typing a second cadaver would be easier.
"Maybe locating a tissue typing a second cadaver would be easier."
should have been
Maybe locating a tissue typed second cadaver would be easier.
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