06 Jul Human Head Transplant Possible?

With so many amazing scientific developments in recent years, a scientist (Dr. Sergio Canavero) now says the technology exists to complete a transplant of a human head to another body. For certain paraplegics, for example, or muscular dystrophy victims, this could obviously be something huge.

This has been done in a limited way in animals (Robert White did it with a monkey in 1970), but post-transplant the “donor” remained paralyzed below the head since it wasn’t possible to reconnect the spinal cord. Dr. Canavero, in a recent paper, posits a particular method of refusing the cord that he believes makes the transplant possible.

The cost is a bit of a problem, estimated at $15 million for a transplant. And as you might imagine some will suggest that the ethics of such a procedure need close examination. We like to visit the restaurant “Jekyll & Hyde” in Manhattan where they do a show every hour that recreates bringing Frankenstein’s monster to life. Some will connect the two and suggest it is messing a little too much with nature. Others will say that a chance for a new life for a paralyzed human could be pretty cool.

Can Canavero pull it off? We’ll keep an eye. Thanks Ken Rutkowski for the tip!