bretzner martin 2013. science-fiction “ frankenstein or the modern prometheus ” - mary shelley...
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Bretzner Martin2013
Science-FictionScience-Fiction
“ Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus ” - Mary Shelley (1818)
Adapted in 1931 by James Whale ; “ It’s Alive ! ”
“ Herbert West – Reanimator ” – H.P. Lovecraft (1921)
Adapted in 1985 by Stuart Gordon
Monkeys & DogsMonkeys & Dogs
Robert J. White, American neurosurgeon
Isolated brain
Electrical Activity
Necessity to transplant the head/body
Meanwhile in Soviet Meanwhile in Soviet RussiaRussia
Sergei Bryukhonenko & the stand-alone dog head
Vladimir Demikhov & the two-headed dog
Off With Their Off With Their Heads !Heads !
1963, Robert J. White : First successful head transplant on monkeys
Quadriplegic
Could hear, smell, taste, bite, blink
The Mad ScientistThe Mad Scientist
Sergio Canavero, Italian neuroscientist
Surgical Neurology International journal, June 2013
Quadriplegia : usage of fusogens (PEG - Chitosan)
Feasible for a mere $10 Million
ProcedureProcedure
Cannulation of carotids and vertebral arteries
Exsanguination of the head
Profound hypothermia ( <20°C )
Clean cut of the spinal cord coated with fusogens
2 min to fuse the spinal cords
Sew the vessels, esophagus, muscles, skin…
IndicationsIndications
Recipient : quadriplegic with multi-organ failure, progressive muscular dystrophy…
Donor : brain dead, same sex and corpulence, immunotype, no systemic disorder
EthicsEthics
Life extension and organ traffic
Genetic inheritance
Creation of chimera
Organ shortage
ConclusionConclusion
Although being very controversial, head/total body transplant is a subject that needs to be considered as it is a theoretically feasible procedure and a possible remedy to horrible yet incurable conditions.