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Author Topic: World's First Head Transplant  (Read 1941 times)

Ben

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World's First Head Transplant
« on: August 30, 2016, 10:31:14 AM »
A Russian guy has volunteered for the world's first head transplant. Apparently a lot of experts are calling it "junk science". Seeing how the volunteer has to live though, I can't blame him for wanting to try, and I wish him well.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/russian-man-volunteers-for-first-human-head-transplant/
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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2016, 10:46:52 AM »
Yep, either way the Russian man is going to die soon.  I hope it works.
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Hawkmoon

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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2016, 01:02:37 PM »
This is actually old news, including the Russian guy volunteering to go first.

I think it's a very bad idea and I harbor serious doubts that it can possibly succeed, but I admit to being perversely curious to see it tried and to find out what's going to happen.
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KD5NRH

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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2016, 01:16:10 PM »
Quote from: Hawkmoon on August 30, 2016, 01:02:37 PM
I think it's a very bad idea and I harbor serious doubts that it can possibly succeed, but I admit to being perversely curious to see it tried and to find out what's going to happen.

I want to find out about the legal aspects; since it will have the fingerprints and likely most of the DNA of the body donor, even though the brain is obviously the "head donor" who is it legally? 
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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2016, 09:39:01 PM »
So, on his driver's license... right next to "Organ Donor"... does it say "Head Giver"?
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lupinus

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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2016, 09:45:52 PM »
Will they be attaching him to the body or a male or a female?
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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2016, 10:21:51 PM »
Quote from: lupinus on August 30, 2016, 09:45:52 PM
Will they be attaching him to the body or a male or a female?

Wonderful, you're gonna get Roo_ster all riled up. 

Chris
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grampster

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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2016, 10:23:01 PM »
Wouldn't the guy be a quadriplegic?  Hooking up a head to another body would involve hooking up the nerves in order to make the body work.  Ummm, that's not possible yet or all the paras and quads would be cured.
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Hawkmoon

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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2016, 11:33:28 PM »
Quote from: grampster on August 30, 2016, 10:23:01 PM
Wouldn't the guy be a quadriplegic?  Hooking up a head to another body would involve hooking up the nerves in order to make the body work.  Ummm, that's not possible yet or all the paras and quads would be cured.

The Russian guy IS a quadraplegic. That's the whole point -- he wants to get his head connected to a body that functions. The Italian doctor is certain (at least, he says he's certain) that he can hook up all the nerves.

I don't know how he can do it. They aren't color coded like in an automobile.
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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2016, 11:33:53 PM »
Quote from: KD5NRH on August 30, 2016, 01:16:10 PM
I want to find out about the legal aspects; since it will have the fingerprints and likely most of the DNA of the body donor, even though the brain is obviously the "head donor" who is it legally? 


Might get interesting if you wound up with the body of a serial murderer.   [popcorn]
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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2016, 11:37:35 PM »
Quote from: Hawkmoon on August 30, 2016, 11:33:28 PM
The Russian guy IS a quadraplegic. That's the whole point -- he wants to get his head connected to a body that functions. The Italian doctor is certain (at least, he says he's certain) that he can hook up all the nerves.

I don't know how he can do it. They aren't color coded like in an automobile.


There has been some experimentation with stimulating nerve growth.  One of the chief impediments in cases where there's been spinal damage is the formation of scar tissue.  If that can be inhibited too, some degree of nerve fusion might be possible.
But it's never been done like this, only trying to regrow nerves in the same body --- and with very limited success at that.
I would not be optimistic about the outcome .....
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zxcvbob

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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2016, 11:45:43 PM »
I suspect if he survives the surgery, he'll wish that he hadn't.  It can't possibly end well.  Maybe in another 100 years, but that's doubtful.
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Ben

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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2016, 11:56:35 PM »
Quote from: Hawkmoon on August 30, 2016, 11:33:28 PM
I don't know how he can do it. They aren't color coded like in an automobile.

Piece of cake:

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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #13 on: August 31, 2016, 12:19:47 AM »
Quote from: zxcvbob on August 30, 2016, 11:45:43 PM
I suspect if he survives the surgery, he'll wish that he hadn't.  It can't possibly end well.  Maybe in another 100 years, but that's doubtful.

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RoadKingLarry

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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #14 on: August 31, 2016, 08:04:38 AM »
Quote from: zxcvbob on August 30, 2016, 11:45:43 PM
I suspect if he survives the surgery, he'll wish that he hadn't.  It can't possibly end well.  Maybe in another 100 years, but that's doubtful.

Gotta start somewhere.
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Perd Hapley

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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #15 on: August 31, 2016, 08:56:43 AM »
Quote from: zxcvbob on August 30, 2016, 11:45:43 PM
I suspect if he survives the surgery, he'll wish that he hadn't.  It can't possibly end well.  Maybe in another 100 years, but that's doubtful.


You really think he'll live that long?  :O
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Re: Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #16 on: August 31, 2016, 12:30:55 PM »
Quote from: Hawkmoon on August 30, 2016, 11:33:28 PM
The Russian guy IS a quadraplegic. That's the whole point -- he wants to get his head connected to a body that functions. The Italian doctor is certain (at least, he says he's certain) that he can hook up all the nerves.

I don't know how he can do it. They aren't color coded like in an automobile.
I think they're bringing in a specialist from Lucas Electronics to help.....
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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #17 on: August 31, 2016, 12:45:44 PM »
Quote from: Hawkmoon on August 30, 2016, 11:33:28 PM
I don't know how he can do it. They aren't color coded like in an automobile.

Maybe he used to work in IT.


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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #18 on: August 31, 2016, 08:44:25 PM »
Looking at the photo:



. . . I wondered if his parents were downwind from Chernobyl.



(Yes, I know it's genetic)



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zxcvbob

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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #19 on: August 31, 2016, 08:58:35 PM »
Quote from: fistful on August 31, 2016, 08:56:43 AM

You really think he'll live that long?  :O

Quote just because it's such a good line  :rofl:

Quote from: seeker_two on August 31, 2016, 12:30:55 PM
I think they're bringing in a specialist from Lucas Electronics to help.....

The Prince of Darkness  :lol:
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LadySmith

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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #20 on: September 01, 2016, 07:36:23 AM »
Quote
Spiridonov suffers from Werdnig-Hoffmann Disease, a rare and often fatal genetic disorder that breaks down muscles and kills nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that help the body move.

Would his disease not affect the new body as well?
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dogmush

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Re: World's First Head Transplant
« Reply #21 on: September 01, 2016, 09:09:20 AM »
If this works, think what it will mean for the trans gendered.....

[/tongue in cheek]
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