See the man set to undergo the world's first full HEAD transplant

Mr. Valery Spiridonov, 30, suffering from a rare muscle wasting disease, Werdnig-Hoffman

 

A man with a fatal medical condition has opted to be become the first human being to undergo a head transplant and hopes it could be as soon as next year.

Valery Spiridonov says he is ready to put his trust in controversial surgeon Dr Sergio Canavero who claims he can cut off his head and attach it to a healthy body.

Mr Spiridonov, 30, a computer scientist from Russia, said: 'My decision is final and I do not plan to change my mind.'

As a lifelong sufferer of the rare genetic Werdnig-Hoffman muscle wasting disease, he says he wants the chance of a new body before he dies.  He says, 'Am I afraid? Yes, of course I am. But it is not just very scary, but also very interesting,’ 

'But you have to understand that I don't really have many choices', he said. 'If I don't try this chance my fate will be very sad. With every year my state is getting worse.' 

Dr Canavero and Mr Spiridonov have talked via Skype though they have not met yet and the doctor has not reviewed his medical records.

The Italian doctor in an interview with CNN said he has received many emails and letters from people who wish to undergo this delicate procedure.  But he said the first set of patients will be those suffering from muscle wasting disease.

Dr Canavero has named the procedure HEAVEN, which is an acronym for head anastomosis venture. Anastomosis involves the surgical connecting of two parts. 

Head transplants has only be done on animals.  The first monkey head transplant was performed 45 years ago and a basic operation on a mouse was carried out in China recently.

This human head transplant is said to cost £7.5million and the procedure will take 36-hours and will be performed in the world’s most advanced theatre.

After the operation, powerful immunosuppressant drugs would be given to the patient to stop the new body from being rejected.

But the Italian doctor is yet to secure funding for the staff of 150 doctors and nurses he believes are required to complete the procedure.

Controversial Dr. Sergio Canavero