Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Literal head swap - someday?

So back in the 70's, they transplanted two monkey heads, and the monkey continued to live for days while having all of his senses still (though he was paralyzed because of archaic techniques).  Well now a neuroscientist is claiming we have techniques today where it would theoretically be possible to do a head transplant.  Yes, you read that right frankenstein, a real head swap. Granted the surgery has very unorthodox techniques (including inducing cardiac arrest and cooling the both heads).

Now I know what you're thinking, how are we ever going to get past the ethics involved.  Well as the article brings up, face transplants to those who have had horrific accidents were at one time never considered, and in the last few years there have been at least a handful.  When one day we can extend the life of someone dying, or give a paraplegic the ability to walk again someday, we won't think twice about it.  Heck, if nothing else it's a life extender for lots of people.  Getting too old? A quick body swap will give you the body of a 20 year old.  Of course it would be like any donor program, you'd have to wait for a patient to go brain dead (while having a perfectly good lower body).

Of course you know where I'm going with this...


http://qz.com/99413/first-ever-human-head-transplant-is-now-possible-says-neuroscientist/

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