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J Med Ethics 2005;31:707-709 doi:10.1136/jme.2005.011841
  • Clinical ethics

Until they have faces: the ethics of facial allograft transplantation

  1. G J Agich1,
  2. M Siemionow2
  1. 1Department of Bioethics, Transplant Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
  2. 2Department of Plastic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
  1. Correspondence to:
 G J Agich
 Department of Bioethics, Transplant Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; agichg{at}ccf.org

    Abstract

    The ethical discussion of facial allograft transplantation (FAT) for severe facial deformity, popularly known as facial transplantation, has been one sided and sensationalistic. It is based on film and fiction rather than science and clinical experience. Based on our experience in developing the first IRB approved protocol for FAT, we critically discuss the problems with this discussion, which overlooks the plight of individuals with severe facial deformities. We discuss why FAT for facial deformity is ethically and surgically justified despite its negative portrayal in the media.

    Footnotes

    • The protocol that we describe has been approved by our local IRB. This article reports the development and background for the protocol, but no subjects have been yet entered into this trial.

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