head transplant

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Bretzner Martin 2013

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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. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Bretzner Martin2013

Science-FictionScience-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 & DogsMonkeys & Dogs

Robert J. White, American neurosurgeon

Isolated brain

Electrical Activity

Necessity to transplant the head/body

Meanwhile in Soviet Meanwhile in Soviet RussiaRussia

Sergei Bryukhonenko & the stand-alone dog head

Vladimir Demikhov & the two-headed dog

Off With Their Off With Their Heads !Heads !

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

Quadriplegic

Could hear, smell, taste, bite, blink

The Mad ScientistThe Mad Scientist

Sergio Canavero, Italian neuroscientist

Surgical Neurology International journal, June 2013

Quadriplegia : usage of fusogens (PEG - Chitosan)

Feasible for a mere $10 Million

ProcedureProcedure

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…

IndicationsIndications

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

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

EthicsEthics

Life extension and organ traffic

Genetic inheritance

Creation of chimera

Organ shortage

ConclusionConclusion

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.