Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Ethical Issues and Transplantation Technology

1992; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 1; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/s0963180100006514

1469-2147

David C. Thomasma,

Ethics in medical practice

Not that long ago, any thought of transferring body parts, or fluids like blood, among individuals was expressed in terms of a nightmare. Consider the problem of involuntary blood transfusions to Count Dracula! Or recall the infamous brain transplant to the brutish body under Dr. Frankenstein's ministrations. The very thought of bodily transference stimulated writers to create monsters. The stuff of evil seemed to surround any attempt. Hubris was considered the evil that exceeded the normal limits of scientific research and development. Transplantation seemed to make humans into gods who defied death but who, like Icarus and his wax wings, flew too close to the sun.