Growth hormone (GH) is uncontroversial when it is used to treat children with growth hormone deficiency. Other indications for the use of GH have been much more controversial. Debates have focused primarily on questions of whether short stature,
in and of itself, can be considered a disease or a disability or whether, by contrast, it should be considered a normal variant. Those who hold to the latter view generally think that short stature should not be treated. "If it ain't broke," they say, "Don't fix it."

Short stature is associated with a number of emotional problems and can limit life opportunities. By itself, it is not associated with health problems. 

The debate about the appropriate use of GH touches on the larger debate about the differences between bona fide medical treatment
and pharmacologic or surgical enhancement.

We present a number of recent articles about GH, a book and a President's Council on Bioethics Report on enhancement, and a PowerPoint presentation about GH.

INTERVIEW

POWERPOINT

REFERENCES

LEGAL CASES