Ready for first head transplant
Valery Spiridinov wants to be the first person to undergo a head transplant, which will be carried out by Italian neurosurgeon Sergio Canavero. Spiridinov, of Russia, suffers from Werdnig Hoffman disease, a muscle-wasting condition that seriously diminishes his physical capabilities and has left him dependent on a wheelchair.Now he has announced his intention to become the world's first subject of a full head transplant so that his brain can be attached to a healthy body.Italian neuroscientist Sergio Canavero claims he can complete the unprecedented procedure in less than a day.The whole process, Canavero said, is "90%" guaranteed to succeed, though he admitted: "Of course, there is a marginal risk."I cannot deny that.''Other doctors have expressed serious doubts, particularly about his brain still being functional by the time the surgery is complete.But Spiridinov is more optimistic: "If I have a chance of full-body replacement I will get rid of the limits and be more independent."Matthew Crocker, consultant neurosurgeon at St George's Hospital in London, said every section of the operation has a grounding in current science and practice - at least in theory. ..
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