Head transplants , or torso transplants depending on how you look at them , are not just a matter of far-out horror moving-picture show . The first documented subprogram was carried out back in the ‘ 50s when sawbones and transplant trailblazer Vladimir Demikhovgrafted the head and forelimbs of a puppyonto the body of a different pawl . Disturbingly , he survey this with his more famous work , which involved the macrocosm of two - head dogs . Unsurprisingly , none of his animals last for more than a few days .
While ethically confutative , these subprogram in the end pass to the first successful head organ transplant on a imp in 1970 by Dr. Robert White , who was apparently inspire by Demikhov ’s work . Although White demonstrated the feasibility of the procedure , he did n’t rile to attempt to fuse the spinal cords of the donor scallywag with the receiver , so it was paralyzed and could n’t breathe without assistance . Although little has been done subsequently , medicine has progress by leaps and bounds since then . So much so that one neurosurgeon believes that the function could soon be stockpile out on humans , and he has justpublished an outlineof what the OR would potentially involve .
According to the doctor , Sergio Canavero , the major obstacles to winner — such as the risk of the physical structure refuse the head — can now be overpower thanks to modern medicine , and with a few further approach , the procedure could be quick as before long as 2017 . That being said , just because it can be done , that does not mean it will — there are major honorable issues that would need to be considered before it can be O.K. . Those aside , this kind of striking surgery could bid hope to the great unwashed whose organs are chivy with cancer , or those who have support major accidents . That ’s why Canavero is now try torecruit a teamto further explore the possibility of such a proficiency and plans to declare the projection afterward this year , according toNew Scientist .
So what would the operation take ? First , the recipient ’s head would have to be cooled to keep the cell alert , as would the late deceased donor . Next , the neck is cut into and the ancestry vessel are hooked up by a serial of small-scale tube . After the spinal corduroy are neatly severed , the head is then move onto the presenter consistency , which is ready for the trickiest and most all-important part : connect up the ends of the spinal cord .
To do this , Canavero suggestsusing a substance forebode polyethylene glycol , which would helpfatty cell membranes meld together . The final part of the procedure involves sew together up the origin vessels and muscularity before putting the affected role into a coma for up to a month . After acute physiatrics , the patient should be able to use their trunk and walk . Although there is a risk of rejection , as with any graft , Canavero points out that immunosuppressive drugs should foreclose this from happen .
However , many of the surgeons that the New Scientist touch said the idea sounded “ too eccentric , ” while others plainly deny to provide any remark at all . One of those who did comment was Harry Goldsmith , a clinical professor of neurological operation at the University of California , Davis , who enunciate : “ This is such an consuming project , the possibility of it happening is very unlikely . I do n’t believe it will ever function . ”
Alongside the ethical consideration of such a OR , some haveexpressed concernsthat it could lead to people wanting to exchange their bodies for decorative reasonableness , so plain if it does become legalized , strict regulations will have to be in spot . Since the idea has been met with some strong opposition by those in the field of medicine , and many think it simply wo n’t mould , it will be interesting to see what unravels over the next couple of years .
[ ViaNew Scientistand The Guardian ]
