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Scientific Discovery in Medical Science 2018
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Summary
The article I chose is “Man's second face transplant is a world first” by the author Jacqueline Howard published in CNN website (2018). This article unveils the discovery of world first but Jérôme Hamon’s second face transplant. He was suffering from a rare genetic condition called neurofibromatosis in which he developed tumors in his nerves across his skin, brain and other body parts. Due to these complications, in 2010, he underwent his first facial transplant. However, his body rejected this donor organs and his face was removed.
He remained without face in the hospital room for eight months unable to see, speak and hear. In November 2017, he underwent second facial transplant while the donor was 22 years old boy. Despite encountering the most painful and undesirable circumstances, he was unusually optimistic. While talking about his surgical procedure to CNN, he reported "I'm 43 years old, the donor is 22 years old, so I am 22 years old," which indicated his constructive attitude towards the adversities of life. Dr. Lantieri who was supervising Hamon’s case reported “second kidney, liver and heart transplant is something understood but second facial transplant is undoubtedly new to this field.”
What interested you about the topic?
The reason I chose this article is certain—the medical discovery of second facial transplant. I have heard about several body organs transplants but facial transplant is something rare because it revolves around inserting donor’s skin, eyes, nose, ears, lips and so on; it is highly complex in nature.
Moreover, autoimmune process has always stimulated my interest because it is based on the brilliant tendency of our T-cells as defenders against antigens. However, they misdiagnose and start killing donor organs considering them as antigens and threat to internal system; the whole transplantation activity is collapsed.
Do you agree or support the discovery or activity presented in your article? Why or why not?
I strongly support this discovery because nothing can be worst than having a life without face—unable to see, hear, speak and eat. Besides personal reasons, it also affects our socialization and the nature of interpersonal relationships that we form with parents, siblings, children, peers, friends and other individuals of the society. Facial transplant is essential not only physically but also for psychological and social reasons—the number does not matter. Did the author provide references and supporting facts in this article, or were you expected to just accept the findings without support?
Writer provided direct quotes from the person undergoing transplant and his medical supervisors. Moreover, he also added an informational video as a validating support. However, she did not cite any scientific journal because it is the latest discovery and is based on primary resources. It compelled me to accept the findings because of direct quotes, pictures and videos. When reading about science, how important do you feel sources and references are in accepting the findings that are presented?
One of the key elements of science is that it only accepts the phenomena that are observable to all; even observation is the first step in scientific research and discovery. In this scientific era of technological advancements, human mind has now become strictly programmed to accept only validated information that is visible to our senses and acceptable to our rationality.
When someone claims something, we require authenticity and support in form of scientific research and apparent visibility. So while describing any phenomenon and scientific discovery, it is mandatory to mention the research work with appropriate audio visual supports for mitigating any disparity that may threaten its universal acceptance.
For example, in this article, writer used before and after images of the patient, direct quotes from the patient and subject matter experts, exact dates and locations, and videos, due to which no one can question the validity of presented information.
Reference
Howard, J. (2018). Man's second face transplant is a world first. CNN health. https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/17/health/second-face-transplant-bn/index.html
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