Email in response to an alarming article I found this morning:
I'm a fiscal conservative, social progressive and I support other controversial medical science such as stem cell research. However, "face transplants" is an extremely problematic practice (or soon to be practice) from several perspectives.
I find it reprehensible that doctors would risk a patient's life for cosmetic surgery, even in cases of severe disfigurement. While some would say that "I would want it for my child, if necessary.", this is faulty reasoning. Parents will do anything for the sake of their children, make any bargain, no matter the ethics. And while the Ohio hospital board may have determined this to be ethical (I disagee), this flies in the face (sorry) of common sense and universal taboos (such an incest).
Face transplants are just as viscerally abhorrent as terrorist beheadings and torture of prisoners.
vj