Jeremiahcp
Well-Known Jerk
He says he’s transplanted a corpse head. But who wants to be his first living test?
Do you think this is ethical? Why or why not?
Would God approve of something like this, if it could be done safely?
-
Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Access to private conversations with other members.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!
Is a Head Transplant Ethical?
- Thread starter Jeremiahcp
- Start date
Do you think this is ethical? Why or why not?
Would God approve of something like this, if it could be done safely?
YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
Ethical? I don't even believe it is possible as most of the medical world is taking an arm's length view of the claim. The fellow involved seems to be little more than a self-promoting fruitcake.
First I ran across this article that says the transplant doesn't really succeed, because the spinal cord is not attached and the heads do not regain consciousness. He's merely connected the pulmonary systems together and announced that it is a 'Success'. Its actually a huge disappointment.
No, there hasn’t been a human 'head transplant', and there may never be
Here's the thing though -- even if you could do it, the brain would still age, lose plasticity and go insane. I think a head-transplant it might add 50 sleepy years, but brains are not set up to learn continually for that long. Brains are like systems of rivers and streams which at first are shallow and spread everywhere but gradually cut deep grooves and stay in narrow channels. They become rigid over time, and the energy provided by the basal ganglia flows right through the heavily used channels and is not easily pumped into the many unused neurons. Thinking the same thoughts and doing old actions becomes easier and easier at a cost. Thus we do not use most of our neurons, because the more we think the easier it becomes to think about and do the same things we have already thought and done and the harder it is to think about new things and to learn new actions. Eventually learning something new takes a lot more effort whereas in childhood it is effortless. You can't transplant that.
No, there hasn’t been a human 'head transplant', and there may never be
Its disgusting and frightening, but knowing how to do it is not unethical. It is Ok provided you're not killing someone.
Here's the thing though -- even if you could do it, the brain would still age, lose plasticity and go insane. I think a head-transplant it might add 50 sleepy years, but brains are not set up to learn continually for that long. Brains are like systems of rivers and streams which at first are shallow and spread everywhere but gradually cut deep grooves and stay in narrow channels. They become rigid over time, and the energy provided by the basal ganglia flows right through the heavily used channels and is not easily pumped into the many unused neurons. Thinking the same thoughts and doing old actions becomes easier and easier at a cost. Thus we do not use most of our neurons, because the more we think the easier it becomes to think about and do the same things we have already thought and done and the harder it is to think about new things and to learn new actions. Eventually learning something new takes a lot more effort whereas in childhood it is effortless. You can't transplant that.
Them's be fightin' words!
Got something against fruitcake? I loves me some frootkake!
Seriously...
Ethical? Maybe not unethical but definitely "eeeeewwww!!!"
Humanity has done worse with nary a peep from God.
If God objects, she will say so.
Shadow Wolf
Certified People sTabber
I'm not sure if there is way to approach the ethical/moral position of this without running circles. We can assume the head getting transplanted gave full consent, but then we have the issue of the donor body. I suppose that person could give consent, however, it brings into question should we consider the feelings of the family of the donor body in such a position? After all, a post-cadavered (? ) body is different than cadaver tissue from kidney or cartilage. And if we do get to the point of being able to do a head transplant, we will probably have come a very long way in medicine, making it very difficult to find a suitable donor body, harder than it would be today since most of those who die with a body you'd want died from an accident or terminal illness that did extensive damage to internal organs. Practically and ethically, it sounds complicated to say the least.
) body is different than cadaver tissue from kidney or cartilage. And if we do get to the point of being able to do a head transplant, we will probably have come a very long way in medicine, making it very difficult to find a suitable donor body, harder than it would be today since most of those who die with a body you'd want died from an accident or terminal illness that did extensive damage to internal organs. Practically and ethically, it sounds complicated to say the least. 
Jumi
Well-Known Member
If it ends in partial success, we can only hope euthanasia is an option. The person might have access to a range of pain and suffering that most don't get to.
God probably wouldn't care about it either way.
I carry a donor card giving my concent for any part of my body to be used after i die. My kidneys, liver, heart, lungs etc could save/prolong a few lives. I see no reason my head shouldn't be used if the tech is there to do the job properly.
What has ethics to do with it? its a matter of concent
When someone shows gods existance then you can ask people his/her/its thoughts.
YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
After a decade long battle with a lung transplant recipient I finally removed the donor status from my paperwork.
I don't want any part of my body potentially keeping another waste of flesh breathing.
Jeremiahcp
Well-Known Jerk
How many of you think assisted suicide is ethical?
Jeremiahcp
Well-Known Jerk
If anyone didn't catch it, this is the patient:
Valery Spiridonov set to undergo the world's first human head transplant | Daily Mail Online
Valery Spiridonov set to undergo the world's first human head transplant | Daily Mail Online
It seems from this post that you've converted, but you just don't want to admit it. And here we are wondering if a head transplant is ethical! I'm kidding in case you couldn't tell.
Every person undergoes a head change every day.
DavidFirth
Well-Known Member
A human head transplant on a corpse isn't a successful transplant. Just saying.
Jeremiahcp
Well-Known Jerk
I think everyone here already knows this.
Absolutely.
DavidFirth
Well-Known Member
Hence, why I was just saying.
For one idiot?
Jeremiahcp
Well-Known Jerk
The doctor is clearly untrustworthy, and the transplant is likely to fail, but the only other option for the patient is to slowly die as he withers away.
I know jesting when I see it.