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watch One-Minute World News Last Updated: Wednesday, 25 October
2006, 09:49 GMT 10:49 UK Q&A: Face transplant decision Isabelle
Dinoire Isabelle Dinoire doesn't regret her decision to have the
operation  An ethics committee at the Royal Free Hospital has
given the go-ahead for the world's first full face transplant.
But what does this decision mean?  What has been decided?  Mr
Peter Butler, a surgeon at the Royal Free Hospital, London,
approached the ethics committee at his hospital to seek
permission to carry out the world's first face transplant.
Gaining approval from an ethics panel is essential for
scientists wishing to carry out any research involving humans.
The panel has been considering whether the surgery and drugs
used afterwards to prevent rejection of the tissue are safe, and
whether the patient would be able to cope with any psychological
impacts of such a procedure.  By giving Mr Butler the go-ahead,
they have deemed the operation to