Sergio Canavero

Sergio Canavero is an Italian neurosurgeon and author who attracted media attention after stating, in early 2015, that he will be able to perform the first successful human head transplant by 2017.[1][2] Valery Spiridonov, a 30-year-old Russian with Werdnig–Hoffmann disease (type I spinal muscular atrophy) and rapidly declining health has volunteered to offer his head for Canavero's studies.[3]

Popular opinion about the potential head transplant has been generally negative, despite Canavero's original claims. Canavero was criticised specifically on ethical grounds,[4] with Arthur Kaplan, head of medical ethics at Langone Medical Center, New York University, calling Canavero "out of his mind".[5] There are also doubts as regards the state of technology and the time-frame in which Canavero says he will be able to successfully conduct the procedure.[6][7]

Upon Canavero's controversial statements in early 2015, it has been speculated that they were actually part of a viral marketing campaign for the game Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, then an upcoming title. Proponents indicated supposed connections between the Metal Gear Solid games and Canavero and his works, including physical similarities with character Evangelos Constantinou who first appeared in a trailer. Canavero, in response, denied any connection with the game production company Konami.[8]

References

  1. ↑ First human head transplant could happen in two years. New Scientist.
  2. ↑ Canavero, S (2013). "HEAVEN: The head anastomosis venture Project outline for the first human head transplantation with spinal linkage (GEMINI)". Surgical neurology international 4 (Suppl 1): S335–42. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.113444. PMC 3821155. PMID 24244881.
  3. ↑ "World’s first head transplant volunteer could experience something "worse than death"". Science Alert.
  4. ↑ Cartolovni, Anto; Spagnolo, Antoniog (2015). "Ethical considerations regarding head transplantation". Surgical Neurology International 6: 103. doi:10.4103/2152-7806.158785.
  5. ↑ Kaplan, Arthur (26 February 2015). "Doctor Seeking To Perform Head Transplant Is Out Of His Mind". Forbes. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  6. ↑ Fecht, Sarah (27 February 2015). "No, human head transplants will not be possible by 2017". Popular Science. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  7. ↑ Man volunteers for world first head transplant operation. Yahoo! News Australia.
  8. ↑ The world's first head transplant surgery is not a marketing stunt for a video game, doctor says. Business Insider.
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