From: sbharris@ix.netcom.com(Steven B. Harris)
Subject: Re: need info about transplantation of whole head.
Date: 29 Apr 1998
Newsgroups: sci.med

In <6i4l2q$889$2@news.HanQ.net> bbs <bbs@net.kitel.co.kr> writes:

>I saw an news that a transplantation team succeed in transplanting
whole head of a monkey. Is it true? have you heard about this? I want
to know exactly whaat was successful and what wasn't at that
experience. <

   A doctor named Robert White, working in the 1970's (I think) managed
to cut the head off one monkey and connect up the arteries to the head
of another.  The experiment was successful in that the head woke up,
looked around by moving it's eyes, and did indeed bite off the end of
one researcher's finger, when the finger was stuck into its mouth.

   But such "preparations" don't (can't) connect any nerves, so the
head has no nervous connection with the body (like a quadruplegic). It
cannot even breathe on its own.  Also, of course, the neck has been
broken and the spine is in two pieces, so nothing can be moved (it's
like one of those neck boards you see in emergencies, but worse).
Naturally there are limits to how long you can keep a quadruplegic
monkey alive, and I don't think anybody tried for more than a few
hours.  No point.

   In a human, you might be able to save a quadruplegic like
Christopher Reeves, who can't breathe for himself, by doing a
transplant of the head to another body (suppose Reeves got cancer which
hadn't spread to his head).  And the result wouldn't be much different
than the quality of life he has now (after the spine bones healed).
And he'd have to take anti-rejection drugs, as for any multi-organ
recipient.  But for anybody else, but somebody like Reeve, the cost in
quality of life might not be worth it.  Dr. White wants to try it,
reportadly.

   Eventually, he (or somebody like him) will do it.  I see nothing
ethically wrong with it, if paid for privately.   As to whether or not
government should pick up the tab for such a thing, at taxpayer
expense-- well, that's another matter.  But that's a hard question in
any case.  You already (as taxpayer) pay for artificial valves to be
put in people who give themselves endocarditis from IV drug abuse.  And
new livers for alcoholics.   That money could have gone for some other
medical care.  Pap smears for poor women.  Vaccines for kids.
Artificial hearts for 20 year olds with viral cardiomyopathy.  The list
is endless.

                                     Steve Harris, M.D.

From: sbharris@ix.netcom.com(Steven B. Harris)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: need info about transplantation of whole head.
Date: 29 Apr 1998 12:41:55 GMT

In <0jKaTVAIZvR1Ewwi@dial.pipex.com> Ken Tough <ken@objectech.co.uk>
writes:

>Steven B. Harris <sbharris@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>
>>   A doctor named Robert White, working in the 1970's (I think) managed
>>to cut the head off one monkey and connect up the arteries to the head
>>of another.  The experiment was successful in that the head woke up,
>>looked around by moving it's eyes, and did indeed bite off the end of
>>one researcher's finger, when the finger was stuck into its mouth.
>
>From this, and Anonymous's posted article, it sounds like the
>original head of the body-donor remained attached (to "drive"
>the body--breathing, etc).  Is that correct?


   Nope.  Breathing was driven by ventilator.  Just as for Chris
Reeves.   The head of the donor body was detached, and out of luck.
Liberte! Fraternate! Egalite!   It is a far, far better rest I go to...

                                       Steve Harris, M.D.