The dawn of the Frankenstein(s)?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Beelzebub
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
Sergio Canavero and his team have reported success in repairing severed spinal cords in rats using techniques they plan to apply in a controversial human head transplant scheduled for December. This announcement has sparked significant criticism, as many experts highlight the complexities involved in such a procedure, which extend beyond spinal cord repair to include the integration of peripheral nerves, vasculature, and other structural components essential for independent functioning. The research published in CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics demonstrates the potential to reverse paralysis from spinal cord injuries, but the feasibility of a head transplant remains in question due to the numerous challenges involved. The discussion also touches on the ethical implications and public perception surrounding the concept of head transplants, with some participants questioning the terminology and the nature of patient identity in such scenarios.
Beelzebub
Messages
20
Reaction score
4
Head transplant team reports success in rats
Sergio Canavero and his team, who plan to carry out the first head transplant later this year, say they have successfully repaired severed spinal cords in rats, using the proposed technique.

Italian neurosurgeon Canavero has drawn widespread criticism since announcing plans to perform the first human head transplant. The controversial procedure is due to take place in December. :confused:

https://www.univadis.co.uk/viewarti...eng-gb_20170113&utm_content=1472515&utm_term=
 
Biology news on Phys.org
and what do you want to ask?
 
Well about the plausability of it becoming real.
 
A head transplant would be much more complex than merely recovering from a spinal cord transection.
Besides recovering the connections going up and down the spinal cord, there would also be matching up and recovering function of the peripheral nerves, the vasculature, and many structural features like muscle, tendons, ligaments, esophagus, etc.
These would all have to work for a reasonably independent existence.
 
  • Like
Likes Beelzebub
Beelzebub said:
Head transplant team reports success in rats
Sergio Canavero and his team, who plan to carry out the first head transplant later this year, say they have successfully repaired severed spinal cords in rats, using the proposed technique.

Italian neurosurgeon Canavero has drawn widespread criticism since announcing plans to perform the first human head transplant. The controversial procedure is due to take place in December. :confused:

https://www.univadis.co.uk/viewarticle/head-transplant-team-reports-success-in-rats-527564?u=g7Nnk16ewgu1y4qX2NVC+6BGJQ08OW4R4npnBJfJd2jYXQqBLO/p6zFISyuft9z8&utm_source=adhoc email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=adhoc_bestofweek_email_generalmedicine_eng-gb_20170113&utm_content=1472515&utm_term=
Beelzebub said:
Here is the paper published in CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cns.12713/full
The paper is about experimenting with repairing spinal cord transection, not about head transplants.
Conclusions

We show for the first time in an adequately powered study that the paralysis attendant to a complete transection of the spinal cord can be reversed. This opens the path to a severance-reapposition cure of spinal paralysis, in which the injured segment is excised and the two stumps approximated after vertebrectomy/diskectomies.
As @BillTre says, there is a lot more involved in any attempts at a head transplant.

Thread closed temporarily for Moderation...
 
Thread re-opened.
 
Beelzebub said:
Well about the plausability of it becoming real.

It won't (it have problem just like the clone) (people won't like it)
 
This topic is very near the edge of acceptable for PF - I'm not competent to say it is completely impossible. The Frankenstein hyperbole in the thread title is not really acceptable, but let's let it pass for a while. If the thread goes off the deep end it gets deleted.
 
  • Like
Likes berkeman
  • #10
From the news link you posted:
Italian neurosurgeon Canavero has drawn widespread criticism since announcing plans to perform the first human head transplant. The controversial procedure is due to take place in December.
Science is not about headlines.
 
  • #11
jim mcnamara said:
Science is not about headlines.
No pun intended right?

From the point of view of the patient wouldn't this be a body transplant?

BoB
 
  • #12
I did not see that... Oops.
 
  • #13
Me neither, LOL.
 
  • #14
rbelli1 said:
From the point of view of the patient wouldn't this be a body transplant?

Depends on which patient.
However, a patient without a head probably does not have much of a viewpoint, I guess.
 
  • #15
BillTre said:
However, a patient without a head probably does not have much of a viewpoint, I guess.

I would hope by that time the moniker "patient" no longer really applies to the body donor.

BoB
 

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top