Question

Do you think transplanting cadaver parts, like the woman who received a face transplant, is a good idea?

A. Yes

B. No

Please explain 200 words or less

Answer 1

Answer:

Do you think transplanting cadaver parts, like the woman who received a face transplant, is a good idea?

A. Yes

Earlier there were serious concerns regarding the high risk of transplant failure from the rejection of the donor's skin. However with the advances in the transplant technology (microsurgery, immunosuppressive drugs) the risk of the transplant and failure of rejection have been considerably reduced. Already around 30 patients have received the face transplant around the world.

The main ethical issue here is that face transplant helps in improving the quality of life unlike transplant of a vital organ like heart or kidney that is performed to save a life. A high degree of HLA matching minimizes the risk of transplant rejection. The technique of face transplant has overcome the limitations of conventional procedures. A facial transplanation now is capable of restoring around 80% of patients facial functions. There are also concerns related to issue of personal identity when face from a cadaver is used for transplanation. However, a facial transplant doesnot closely resemble the donor's face but is a hybrid form of the patients original face and donor face.