face transplants!

i was reading W, which is a women's fashion magazine, and there was an article about plastic surgery. It was mentioned that doctors at the University of Louisville (Kentucky) have submitted papers seeking approval from the ethics committee to perform a face transplant. So I did a search of my computer and found info on it, but too busy to read it all right now. Anyway, I am more curious about what other people think and feel about this. The article I am putting a link to mentions they've already successfully transplanted hands from cadavers. I had no idea!--- I feel like I must be so out of touch. Anyway, here is the link. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5122174.

There was a show on one of the medical programs the other night, it has already been done. I believe that it was in India or Pakistan about 10 years ago, the patient is actually in nursing school right now in her country. The girl's face was torn off in an accident and was essentially reattached, just like you would reconnect a finger or hand.

There was a very good article in New Scientist about this. Unfortunately the patient will have only limited control of expression and may not ever have full feeling again but it is possible. They will also be on immunosuppressives for the rest of their lives because of rejection. It is only being considered for severe burns at present.

Interestingly the final face will not look like the donor as the look is very much influenced by the underlying structure.