This document was written to express my love and appreciation for children, and to extol the aspirations we should have had for our infants and children at a time when the United States had laws against cruelty to animals such as cats, dogs, horses, cows, etc., but not for protection of its children. This document has now been translated into all major and many minor languages of the world. During the United Nations' "International Year of the Child" in 1979, the most quoted line was widely use by children's advocates worldwide. (Slide) "The level of civilization attained by any society will be determined by the attention it has paid to the welfare of its infants children." It remains an embarrassment to me that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has not been ratified by my country. All but two nations have done so. The United States did enact its first child abuse law in 1973.
(Slide) I am aware that organ transplantation is of special interest and has been seriously and extensively discussed here. The "Statement on Transplantation and Organ Donors" has been translated into many languages, including Japanese. Quality of life was mentioned in it, but not defined. Many may have difficulty accepting its Judeo-Christian perspective. The statement is very simple but very strict ethically.
A Statement on Transplantation and Organ Donors (ForWilliam H. Crosby,M.D.)
Man must ethically study, experiment and choose The best available treatments and therapies to use.
All information that can serve and benefit man The medical profession must use whenever it Can.
The modern medical miracle of organ transplantation Requires the most highly moral and ethical decision.
The responsible physician must never a transplant give Unless the recipient has a chance for a quality life to live.
