X-Message-Number: 24183
From: "Basie" <>
Subject: Another option
Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2004 23:08:21 -0400

I read several publication by Dr. White. It does appear that in a couple of
decades cryonics will not be the only option.

Basie
"The idea that a human brain could be transplanted from one body to another
body may sound straight out of Frankenstein. But Dr Robert White, Professor
of Neurosurgery at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, believes such
operations may be possible one day in the not too distant future. Here he
explains why:

Read Dr White's guide to performing brain transplants
Is human brain transplantation here or is it in the future?

There have been experiments in highly developed animals such as monkeys
where the brain has been successfully transplanted. In one set of
investigations the brain was retained in the skull and the head and
transplanted to a new monkeys body successfully.

Should this form of operative technology be undertaken in humans?

Unfortunately under present circumstances the spinal cord must be severed
and thus the brain that is transferred would have no neurological control
over the body, or vice-versa.

Who would benefit today from this type of transplantation?

Obviously only those already paralysed from the neck down from spinal
injuries. Someday it is hoped that the spinal cord can be rejoined. This
would mean the transplanted brain would be able to control the body and also
receive sensation from it. Obviously major immunological problems remain,
resulting in tissue rejection.

While it appears that the brain maybe immunologically privileged this of
course would not extend to the tissues of the head, and thus further work
must be done to solve the problem of tissue rejection"

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