Italian neurosurgeon Sergio Canavero has been a prominent figure in the controversial field of head transplantation, a surgical procedure that he believes could revolutionize the treatment of age-related ailments. His ambitious vision involves the transplantation of a patient’s head, or potentially just their brain, onto a more youthful and healthier body, giving individuals a second chance at life.
Canavero first captured public attention in 2017 when he claimed that a team he consulted in China had successfully performed head transplants between corpses. However, skepticism has persisted regarding the feasibility of such procedures on living patients. Critics, including the Chicago Tribune, have even compared him to a showman, dubbing him the “P.T. Barnum of transplantation.” Despite stepping back from the limelight, the concept of head transplants has gained renewed interest, especially among advocates of life extension and innovative startups in Silicon Valley.
Throughout his career, Canavero has faced significant challenges, including being dismissed from his position at the Molinette Hospital in Turin after publishing his radical surgical concepts. He maintains that no other viable solutions to aging exist, stating, “It’s become absolutely clear… that the idea of some incredible tech to rejuvenate elderly people… is really going nowhere.” He emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive approach to combating aging, which he believes entails not merely replacing damaged organs but rather acquiring an entirely new body.
In his latest endeavors, Canavero is collaborating with entrepreneurs interested in developing brainless human clones as a source for organ donations that would be immunologically compatible with recipients. While he acknowledges the complexity and high costs associated with integrating advanced technologies like surgical robots and artificial wombs, he remains optimistic about securing funding for his ambitious projects. Canavero calls on wealthy investors to unite in pursuit of this groundbreaking venture, suggesting that they could potentially achieve immortality through their investment in medical innovation.
Source: Job titles of the future: Head-transplant surgeon via MIT Technology Review