21st Century Frankenstein

Have you ever wanted to be a different person? Not a different soul—no, but rather a physical body? What if I tell you that you can? The catch here is that, apart from the neck up, you can have a different physique. Now the question stands: would you?

If you’ve ever seen or read Frankenstein, then you may be able to relate with the concept that I will be introducing. Resembling Frankenstein, who was an experimental product, built from scraps of organs and tendons; modern age researchers are attempting a similar biologically-challenging project. However, instead of being flashed with lightning like Frankenstein, they’re undertaking a more precise and realistic procedure, with human lives at stake. What’s more? They are apparently attempting the world’s first human head transplant either this year or by 2018.

Human head transplants have been dated back roughly in the 1950’s with animals being the variables, and the results of which have not been very promising. Nonetheless, Dr. Sergio Canavero, an Italian neurosurgeon and the leading player in this unprecedented endeavor, isn’t deterred in the least. His agenda in spearheading this surgery is to cleanse people plagued with cancer and allow paralyzed individuals to walk again.
Still, not taking into account the backlash from skeptical experts and the palpable controversy, there are loopholes in the transplant that can result to harrowing repercussions. To begin with, the lack of supporting success from previous experiments hints at an extremely low success rate; moreover, during the surgery, the neck and spinal cord of both bodies will be severed in order for the swap to work, therefore, if ever that the operation comes to naught, it will be sure-fire demise for the human patient. And in the event that it doesn’t, with the risk of rejection, it is still uncertain whether the spinal cords will actually connect.

I can only conclude my two focal reservations regarding this experiment. Primarily, when it boils down to conceivability, the human head transplant gives the impression of a “high risk, high return” gamble. It is daunting, and as many critics have stated, is “too outlandish.” Likewise, another hurdle will be the painstaking ethical considerations. After all, just because we can (in this case, swap heads), doesn’t mean we should. In principle, this experiment is a clear defiance to pious beliefs, and in the long run, justification will become a tedious problem.

Yet, when all is said and done, it is fairly stimulating to think of the possibility of a real “Frankenstein”, and what infinitesimal possibilities it can imply for the human society, most especially in the medical field.

Sensibly, Dr. Canavero’s revolutionary research will need collective acceptance aside from scientific methodology as footing to be utilized for therapeutic purposes.