Head Transplant From ScienceFiction to Reality Bretzner Martin

Head Transplant From Science-Fiction to Reality Bretzner Martin 2013

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