Faculty Bibliography

In December 2002, a conference was held in Philadelphia to discuss public concerns about living organ transplantation with the goal of reaching a consensus about new strategies for such transplants. The conference was hosted by the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Center for Bioethics. A multidisciplinary group of leading experts and stakeholders was called to assess the current status of living donation and suggest productive changes to ensure safer and more ethically sound procedures for both donors and recipients. Prior to the meeting, the research team from the University of Pennsylvania, Center for Bioethics, conducted literature reviews and extensive background research on living organ transplantation. Summary briefs were prepared for all conference participants. Issues were divided into four subcategories; two or three experts led the discussion on each topic. At the conclusion of the conference, the points raised were summarized and discussed, and additional comments were offered before general agreement was reached on each subject. Transcribed minutes and summary statements were reviewed and circulated among participants to allow for additional comments and clarification. All feedback was incorporated into the statement, and a draft of the article was recirculated. Participants who have endorsed the following statements have agreed that these points represent the intent and spirit of the discussion, yet each participant reserves the right to disclaim the document in its entirety. The views represented in the consensus points are held by members of the consensus group and do not necessarily represent the views of the sponsor. A consensus was reached to propose new strategies and make improvements on existing practices and protocols. Specific attention was paid to the widely accepted needs of consistent and responsible communication with the public and press, standardization in donor assessment, a national living donor registry and new research focusing on larger sample numbers and long-term donor follow-up. These consensus points support the work carried out by other advisory transplant organizations and should assist in advocating for living organ donors, the live donor transplant process and the concerns of the public.

A tearful memorial service was held Tuesday in Mountain View, Calif., for Thomas Herrion, 23, an offensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers football team. The service drew more than 500 people, including the commissioner of the National Football League, Paul Tagliabue, and many other NFL officials and coaches. Their grief for the loss of this young athlete was sincere. But the NFL does not seem to have gotten one message it needs to learn from Herrion's death: Players in the NFL have gotten too fat

News item: This week, Yum Brands Inc. will ban smoking in its KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants. No-smoking signs will be posted at all 1,200 KFC and 1,675 Pizza Hut restaurants owned by Yum. The 8,800 outlets owned by franchisees will make that call for themselves

Now the airwaves and blogs are bursting with debates about whether [Rafael Palmeiro] has succeeded in lying his way right out of Cooperstown. There is, however, a much bigger and more fundamental ethical question raised by the Palmeiro implosion and the steroid scandal that continues to haunt major league baseball

People who don't tell the truth are very good at lying to your face. Anyone who has watched the truth-shaving of such well-known confabulators as Ken Lay, Bill Clinton, Bernard Ebbers and Charles Keating knows what I mean. Baltimore Oriole slugger Rafael Palmeiro apparently has joined the ranks of those who will be remembered as being good at delivering the big lie

Now the airwaves and blogs are bursting with debates about whether [Rafael Palmeiro] has succeeded in lying his way right out of Cooperstown. There is, however, a much bigger and more fundamental ethical question raised by the Palmeiro implosion and the steroid scandal that continues to haunt major league baseball