Ethics of Human Growth Hormone

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the many applications that have emerged for growth hormones in the last few decades and focuses on the use of human growth hormone to add height where there is no actual medical necessity. The paper considers whether the use of this treatment is exacerbating social prejudice that privileges taller people in society. The paper favors the view that growth hormone treatment is ethically validated when it serves to prevent psychological and social problems due to a short stature.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction and Overview
The Ethical Problems in Growth Hormone Usage
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The use of human growth hormone in medical treatment has been successfully implemented in various cases over the past fifty years. This has led to an increase in the usage of this treatment and this in turn has raised a number of moral and ethical issue and problems. There is a general consensus that the growth hormone should be not used in cases where its purpose is purely cosmetic or where the aim of usage is to provide an unfair advantage in sport - although claims in this regard are highly suspect. However, the greatest ethical issue in the use of this treatment is where the prescription of growth hormone is given for those children who do not have a deficiency of the hormone."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ashmore, R. B. & Starr, W. C. (Eds.). (1994). Teaching Ethics: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Milwaukee: Marquette University Press.
• Considerations Related to the Use of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone in Children. PEDIATRICS Vol. 99 No. 1 January 1997, pp. 122-129. Retrieved April 7, 2008, from http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;99/1/122
• Hintz, Raymond L. ( 2004) Growth hormone: uses and abuses. (BMJ 2004;328:907-908) Retrieved April 7, 2008, from http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/328/7445/907]
• Konner, M. J. (1999, January). One Pill Makes You Larger. The American Prospect 55. Retrieved April 10, 2008, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001237309
• Rennie M.J.(2003) Claims for the anabolic effects of growth hormone: a case of the emperor's new clothes? Br J Sports Med. 37, pp. 100-5.

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