AboutFace: The Affective and Cultural History of Face Transplants, v.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
AboutFace: The Affective and Cultural History of Face Transplants
IRAS ID
275650
Contact name
Fay Bound Alberti
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
AboutFace is an international comparative qualitative study that seeks to understand the emotional and psychosocial implications of face transplants. Around fifty such transplants have been performed around the world since 2005, primarily in the USA, France and Turkey. Although several NHS teams have developed the expertise and skills to undertake the surgery none has so far occurred in the UK. Medical, financial, ethical and psychological concerns have been raised, although multiple successes have been reported in the clinical literature.
AboutFace aims to produce an account of the development, performance, outcomes and current status of facial transplantation (2005-present) in this national and global context. During its first four years this seven year project will collect data in the UK and USA. In the UK researchers will observe and interview surgeons, extended medical teams, nurses, patients and patients’ families from NHS maxillofacial, plastic and reconstructive, and transplant services. Seven NHS organisations from England, Wales and Scotland will be involved, and up to 200 individual participants. In addition researchers will collect similar data from five sites, and up to 100 participants, in the USA. Please note, this application and the accompanying protocol focuses on eligible research taking place in the UK. Separate approvals will be sought for the international elements of the project, as required.
The overall aim of the research is to develop a sustainable, ethical framework for face transplants (and similar transplants, such as hand and uterus), which could be applied in the UK and which answers the core research question: How might best practice in facial transplantation take account of the procedure’s emotional and societal impacts?
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0121
Date of REC Opinion
14 Apr 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion