Head TransplantFrom Science-Fiction to Reality

Bretzner Martin2013

Science-Fiction

“ Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus ” - Mary Shelley (1818)

Adapted in 1931 by James Whale ; “ It’s Alive ! ”

“ Herbert West – Reanimator ” – H.P. Lovecraft (1921)

Adapted in 1985 by Stuart Gordon

Monkeys & Dogs

Robert J. White, American neurosurgeon

Isolated brain Electrical Activity Necessity to

transplant the head/body

Meanwhile in Soviet Russia

Sergei Bryukhonenko & the stand-alone dog head

Vladimir Demikhov & the two-headed dog

Off With Their Heads !

1963, Robert J. White : First successful head transplant on monkeys

Quadriplegic

Could hear, smell, taste, bite, blink

The Mad Scientist

Sergio Canavero, Italian neuroscientist Surgical Neurology International journal, June

2013 Quadriplegia : usage of fusogens (PEG -

Chitosan) Feasible for a mere $10 Million

Procedure

Cannulation of carotids and vertebral arteries Exsanguination of the head Profound hypothermia ( <20°C ) Clean cut of the spinal cord coated with

fusogens 2 min to fuse the spinal cords Sew the vessels, esophagus, muscles, skin…

Indications

Recipient : quadriplegic with multi-organ failure, progressive muscular dystrophy…

Donor : brain dead, same sex and corpulence, immunotype, no systemic disorder

Ethics

Life extension and organ traffic Genetic inheritance Creation of chimera Organ shortage

Conclusion

Although being very controversial, head/total body transplant is a subject that needs to be considered as it is a theoretically feasible procedure and a possible remedy to horrible yet incurable conditions.

Thank you for your attention