In February, Medical News Today reported that an Italian surgeon is to announce updated plans to conduct the world's first human head transplant within the next 2 years. Now, a 30-year-old Russian man is set to become the first person to undergo the procedure.
Dr. Sergio Canavero, Turin Advanced neuro modulation Group (Tang) in Italy, the first spoke about the plans to make the first human head to organ transplant in July 2013 - a project called GEMINI air.
The American Academy of Neurology 39th Annual Meeting and the orthopedic surgeon in Annapolis, MD, June, Dr Canavero updated plans for the project, some of the challenges in the past, that comes with it is addressing.
Although scientists have serious doubts about the desirability of Dr Canavero designs, such as the first human head transplants are one step closer to reality; Valery Spiridonov, 30-year-old computer scientist Vladimir, Russia, is the first person to voluntarily procedures.
Disease Spiridonov Werdnig-Hoffman - a rare genetic disease muscle wasting, also known as type 1 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is known. It is caused by the resulting loss of motor neurons of the spinal cord and brain region of the spinal cord. People with the disease can not go, and often are not able to sit without help.
Spiridonov was sick Werdnig-Hoffman diagnosed at the age of one and the Mail on-line in heaven, because he wants the opportunity of the new body before he died. Gemini volunteer
"" I can not be in a position my body now, "he said." We need to help every day, every minute. I am now 30 years old, although people rarely live more than 20 to this disease. "
Donor body is connected to the spinal cord by consignee fusion peak
Dr Canavero CNN said, ask a series of e-mails and letters from people to consider looking for a new job, the process, many of whom come from transgender people get. He said the surgeon, but the first to visit the conditions method loss of muscle mass, as Spiridonov.
The process - take the estimated surgeons about 36,100 hours - a merger (SCF) involved. Decide on the body a donor must be removed with a "very sharp knife" is restricted to maintain the size of the lesion in the spinal cord.
"The key to the SCF, a sudden severance same wiring," explains Dr. Canavero released this year ", associated with minimal damage and gray strips of axons in the white matter and neurons. This is the important question. "
Body Spinal donor then merged back of the head of the recipient. Chemicals such as polyethylene glycol or chitosan is known, can be used to SCF by Dr promote Canavero. The muscles and the blood flow is then attached.
To put in a coma for about 3-4 weeks, Dr Canavero, while the spinal cord via implanted electrodes, electrical stimulation, creating new neural connections.
The surgeon believes that - with the help of physical therapy - the patient can go within a year.
Spiridonov, acknowledged concerns over the current process. "I'm afraid? Yes, of course I am," says the Mail online. "But it is very scary, but also very interesting."
"You must understand that I really options," he added. "If I get option to try is very sad. When every year worsened my situation."
Spiridonov talk more his decision to participate in the video Sky GEMINI below:
Dr Canavero brand "nuts"
You can connect the spinal cord to be cut, and stop the immune system from rejecting the chief Dr. Canavero was previously awarded two major challenges twin air. But argues that recent animal studies have shown, the process is "possible."
Paradoxically, but researchers around the world are very skeptical about the proposal. In an interview with CNN, Arthur Caplan, PhD, director of medical ethics and NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, New York, also known as Dr. Canavero "nuts".
Caplan processes often do before animals to humans can be transferred, and added that if the technology is possible if Dr Canavero will try paralyzed patients before trying to help the transplants in the body.
And earlier this year, talking about New Scientist, Harry Goldsmith, a clinical professor of neurosurgery at the University of California at Davis, said the project is "overwhelming" that the odds are that this is unlikely in the future.
"I do not think it will never work," he added, "there are too many problems with the process of trying to keep someone healthy in a coma for four weeks -. It will not happen."
Spiridonov said he was aware of the risks, even though he is still willing to take a chance by Dr Canavero.
"He is a very experienced neurosurgeon and a number of serious work. Of course, so never do anything, and you should carefully consider all possible risks," the Mail on-line, but adds that "if you want to something to do, you need to participate. "
Although not confirmed when the procedure is performed, Spiridonov can be as early as next year. Watch this space.
Sign up here with your email
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon