Reference no: EM132335650

Have you ever wished that you were taller? Some people are taking steps toward making this wish a reality. A procedure called limb lengthening can be done for people with short statures. The procedure basically requires fracturing the bone at the epiphyseal (growth) plate and inserting a metal plate. A screw, located exterior to the body, is turned daily, separating the metal plates to allow the bone to build continuously, adding height until the desired inches have been added to the bone. It is possible to add several inches of height with this surgery, but it takes approximately one month per inch of height. No weight bearing is allowed until the metal plate and screw are removed and the bone is completely healed. Although this procedure will help children of short stature grow taller, is it ethical to put them through such a painful procedure? What do you think?

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I do not think this would be ethical at all. We need to teach children to be happy just as they are and what would this teach the kids about their self esteem and body image. Being short should not be a reason to have this procedure, especially for children. Kids grow at a different rate, my brother had a huge growth spurt at 17. The process of which this is obtained sounds so painful and since no weight bearing they would be confined to a bed. All this for a couple of inches. As a parent, I would never consider this for my child.