In our time, few doubt the limitless possibilities of science. Medicine has reached a high level, and its modern technologies make it possible to fight many diseases that were previously considered incurable. The section of transplantology deserves special attention. Stories about saving limbs and replacing individual organs with donor ones are gradually becoming commonplace. It is quite possible that the world's first head transplant will be performed very soon. What are the chances of success in carrying out such an operation and how can one evaluate it from the ethical side of the issue?
Two-Headed Dogs
The possibility of body transplantation would allow to give eternal life to any organism. Not surprisingly, research in this direction has been going on for a long time. And yet, head transplant surgery is very complicated. It is believed that the world's first scientist from America, Charles Claude Guthrie, decided on it at the beginning of the 20th century. The experimenter chose dogs as experimental subjects, he sewed the donor head to the body of a he althy and full-fledged animal. During the operation, the scientist managed to restore blood circulation. He also noted thatthe donor head moved its tongue, nostrils, and recorded the movements of the pupils. However, this experience could not be called successful - the two-headed animal obtained as a result of transplantation died. Two Russian scientists, A. G. Konevsky and V. Demikhov, decided to repeat the Guthrie experiment after about half a century. The first of them carried out such a transplant almost by accident, while the second devoted a lot of time to this experiment. V. Demikhov also practiced on dogs, having developed his own system for suturing blood vessels. In total, as part of the study, he sewed 20 heads of puppies onto the bodies of adult dogs, and one of the animals lived for almost a month after transplantation.
Experience Dr. R. White
In 1970, a group of scientists from Casey University (USA), led by Dr. Robert White, began preparations for a new interesting experiment. The scientist decided to be the first in the world to sew the severed head of one animal to the decapitated body of another. White decided to conduct his research on monkeys. It is worth noting that in all previous experiments, the head transplant operation was carried out by attaching a donor head to the body of a full-fledged individual, resulting in two-headed animals. Surgical intervention according to the new technique was carried out in the 1970s. As a result of the experiment, the experimental animal lived for about 1.5 days, but it should be noted that during the operation it was not possible to connect the spinal cord and brain. Because of this, the monkey could not control the body, whilehow her head showed active life.
Successful head transplant already done
Assessing the world experience of the 20th century in head transplant operations, conclusions can be made disappointing. And yet, not so long ago, it was proved that such a transplant with a positive outcome is possible. This sensational discovery was made in 2002. Japanese scientists have developed a technology to successfully transplant heads onto donor bodies using lab rats as test subjects. The innovation lies in the use of low temperatures (at which there is no death of neurons) and a special method of connecting nerve tissues. In the course of the experiments, the head transplant was successfully carried out with the preservation of the full motor activity of the body. Some time later, similar experiments were carried out in Germany.
Is it possible to transplant a human head?
Having achieved positive results in experiments involving animals, many scientists dream of trying a similar operation on humans. The famous surgeon of the highest level, Sergio Canavero, back in 2013, officially announced his intention to perform such a transplant. It's hard to believe, but many people from all over the globe responded to the offer to become "guinea pigs". Meanwhile, if the head transplant, as planned today, is carried out in 2017, Dr. Canavero's first patient will be a Russian with a rare genetic disease. The surgeon claims that the chances ofthe success is large enough, otherwise he would not undertake such an operation.
Valery Spiridonov is a Russian volunteer
The first head transplant should be carried out in 2017 to a resident of Russia. Valery Spiridonov literally dreams of such a transplant all his adult life. Today, a person who is ready to part with his head in the truest sense of the word is already 30 years old, and this already makes him unique. When Valery was 1 year old, doctors diagnosed him with Werding-Hoffmann syndrome, a very rare disease in which patients usually do not even live to be 20 years old. However, this man not only survived, but also graduated with honors from high school, then university, and is now successfully working as a programmer. The only problem is that throughout his conscious life Valery has been confined to a wheelchair and is getting weaker every year, today he can only lift a cup of tea or a computer mouse. Transplantation with the ability to start life in a new body is a chance not only to improve the quality of life of this patient, but also to save his life in the literal sense of the word. Valery is preparing for the upcoming intervention, learns how the head transplant is going, and regularly communicates on other topics with Dr. Sergio Canavero.
Prospects for body/head transplantation
The scientific world community is optimistic. If we turn to history, then once the transplantation of internal organs was considered practicallyunrealistic process. But since progress does not stand still, modern technologies make it possible to perform such operations today around the world with enviable regularity. It is possible that in the near future, head transplantation will also become a "common" phenomenon. As soon as medicine masters this variant of transplantation, there will be a treatment option for a wide variety of diseases. By transplanting the head, it is possible to save not only a person with serious genetic diseases, but also cancer patients. As a donor material, it is planned to use the bodies of patients with good physiological parameters, whose brain has died. It is quite possible that a head transplant is the key to eternal life and immortality.
Operation cost
A question that worries many: how much does a head transplant cost? Since the first such operation is only planned for the near future, the exact price of this service cannot yet be named. According to preliminary estimates of experts, the cost of this transplantation is just under $13 million. Of course, a patient awaiting intervention does not have such an amount. Today, Dr. Canavero himself helps him raise the necessary money. He published a book dedicated to his research, and investors are involved in this project. The operation is expected to take approximately 36 hours.
Ethical issues and possible problems
The very idea of a head transplant is not liked by representatives of many religious denominations and just highly moral citizens. This operation literally violates all the laws of the universe and is highly unnatural - say its opponents. However, among ordinary people there are many who have high hopes for the successful development of this medical method. Let's believe that no circumstances will interfere with the transplantation, and very soon the whole world will know how the human head transplant went.
