There’s been hand transplants, leg transplants, and even face transplants, but now we are getting close to the very first full head transplant.
Valery Spiridonov, a 30 year old who suffers from the rare genetic Werdnig-Hoffman muscle wasting disease says he’s ready to take one last chance at leading a regular life before he dies.
“Am I afraid? Yes, of course I am. But it is not just very scary, but also very interesting,’ said Mr Spiridonov from his home in Vladimir, a city 120 miles east of Moscow. But you have to understand that I don’t really have many choices. If I don’t try this chance my fate will be very sad. With every year my state is getting worse.
The surgery could take place as early as next year with Italian surgeon, Dr. Canavero. The doctor has named this hypothetical procedure, HEAVEN, an acronym for head anastomosis venture.
Amazingly, there is some precedent for the surgery. As far back as 45 years ago, the first head transplant of a monkey (I’m assuming to another monkey… or possibly a US Senator), and a mouse head transplant was recently completed in China.
This diagram is based off the initial monkey surgery 45 years ago:
