http://www.ign.com/10 APR 2015
MAN VOLUNTEERS FOR WORLD'S FIRST HEAD TRANSPLANT
Despite detractors, the patient has faith in his surgeon.
BY MIKE MAHARDY
A Russian man with a terminal illness is ready to undergo the world's first human-head transplant as early as next year.
Valery Spiridinov, a 30-year-old computer scientist from Vladimir, Russia, told the Daily Mail that he has full faith in the controversial Dr. Sergio Canavero, the Italian physician many medical professionals are criticizing for his radical views. Canavero recently said he thinks modern science can support a head-transplant procedure, and has been working to gather funds and resources.
'Am I afraid?" Spridinov said. "Yes, of course I am. But it is not just very scary, but also very interesting." Spiridinov was born with the rare Werdnig-Hoffmann muscle-wasting disease, a severe category of spinal muscular atrophy. He said he wants to take his chance at having a healthy body before he dies. "My decision is final and I do not plan to change my mind."
Spiridinov and Dr. Canavero have spoken over Skype, but have yet to meet each other in person. Despite Canavero's many detractors, Spiridinov said he trusts the physician to carry out the 36-hour operation, which touts an estimated cost of £7.5 million (11 million USD).
"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."
Werdnig-Hoffmann disease is characterized by muscle weakness and lack of motor development, while more severe cases can often have trouble swallowing or even breathing. For Spridinov, who was diagnosed at age 1, the disease progresses every day.
"I can hardly control my body now," he said. "I need help every day, every minute. I am now 30 years old, although people rarely live to more than 20 with this disease. If you want something to be done, you need to participate in it."
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