A Russian man with a fatal muscle-wasting disease is hoping to be the first ever human being to undergo transplant surgery of his head. Valery Spiridonov, who is 30 years old hopes to get the operation sometime in 2017.
The vast majority of medical experts from around the world believe the operation is in fact possible, but many believe it will only be a success briefly. Vladimir Demikhov, a Soviet surgeion made 20 2-headed dogs which survived less than a month back in 1954. Imagine how long they would have lived with today’s technology, and medications.
Here is a video by the Italian doctor who hopes to perform the surgery:
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. “The earth is flat”. “Home computers are useless”. “Humanity is condemned to be starved”. “Women are born inferior”. Throughout the years, pioneering scientific discoveries overturn established theories, vibrant societies transcend dominant perceptions, bold individuals expand physical and intellectual limits proving everything wrong: This is the way in which we seek to improve our lives and to deepen the understanding of the world around us. At TEDxLimassol we are searching for the next refute in small and large things: In the universe and subatomic particles. In our societies and in our bodies. In our behavior, attitudes and perceptions. In our mental, physical and personal capabilities. Proving everything wrong is always the right thing to do.
*Where there is doubt, there is freedom.
Dr Canavero believes that impossible is only a way of the mind. By changing perspective, everything becomes attainable.
He proved so when in three months at age 27 worked out the mechanism of one of the most intractable medical mysteries ever, central pain syndrome.
Against accepted neurological lore, he restored partial consciousness in patients in the persistent vegetative state and introduced motor cortex stimulation for the treatment of movement disorders and stroke rehabilitation.
In 2013, he made worldwide news with his project of cerebrosomatic anastomosis (Head Transplant) and again in 2014 with his cortical stimulation proposal for the treatment of psychopaths.
He authored several books and more than 100 scientific papers. He directs the Turin Advanced Neuromodulation Group, a Think Tank for the advancement of neuromodulation.
Dr Canavero believes that the brain does not generate consciousness, but only filters it. His goal is to open the filter and see what lies beyond.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
