I believe that there would be a ton of complications with this type of transplant. For example, one would have to consider whether or not the brain of the patient would be able to control (create homeostasis) with the body of the donor since the brain controls the regulation of hormones and nervous system. Another thing to consider would be is could connection of the patient's spinal cord and the donors spinal cord be done successfully? In the article, Russian man volunteers for first human head transplant, a man that suffers from Werdnig-Hoffmann Disease (fatal genetic disorder that breaks down muscles and kills nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that help the body move) has volunteered to be the first canidate in the experimental elective surgery.
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Since Spiridonov (volunteer patient) suffers from this disease that kills brain cells and his brain is being transplanted to the donor body. From my understanding Werdnig-Hoffmann Disease degenerates the cells in the brain as well. If the goal is to cure the man, then eventually that will fail. However, if the goal is to give the patient (Spiridonov) a better quality of life until his brain completely degenerates then this surgery could be justified. Furthermore, his brain has been managing his current body and is already custom to regulating all things necessary to make it work as properly as it can considering the disease. Another thing to consider could the brain of Spiridonov truly operate the donors body properly since it would not be used to managing a healthier body? The topic of Spiridonov having children was also brought up in the article. This brought forth the fact that if he choose to have children with his new body that the children would not carry any of his genetics. Therefore, leading to more ethical
Since Spiridonov (volunteer patient) suffers from this disease that kills brain cells and his brain is being transplanted to the donor body. From my understanding Werdnig-Hoffmann Disease degenerates the cells in the brain as well. If the goal is to cure the man, then eventually that will fail. However, if the goal is to give the patient (Spiridonov) a better quality of life until his brain completely degenerates then this surgery could be justified. Furthermore, his brain has been managing his current body and is already custom to regulating all things necessary to make it work as properly as it can considering the disease. Another thing to consider could the brain of Spiridonov truly operate the donors body properly since it would not be used to managing a healthier body? The topic of Spiridonov having children was also brought up in the article. This brought forth the fact that if he choose to have children with his new body that the children would not carry any of his genetics. Therefore, leading to more ethical