Original Title: Harbin Medical World's First Human Head Transplant Surgery Controversy
Photo of Professor Ren Xiaoping is from the internet.
Reporter: Li Rui, Li Ying, Di Di, Zhang Daolin
A controversial breakthrough in medical science has just made headlines. According to a report by the British Daily Mail on November 17, Italian neurologist Sergio Canavero held a press conference in Vienna, Austria, where he announced that the world’s first human head transplant was successfully performed. The operation reportedly took place in China, and Canavero claimed that Professor Ren Xiaoping from Harbin Medical University in China was involved in the procedure. On November 19, a reporter from Science and Technology Daily visited Harbin Medical University to confirm the details with Prof. Ren Xiaoping.
"We have conducted original and preliminary research," said Ren Xiaoping. "The surgery was carried out at Harbin Medical University. After approximately 18 hours of operation, our team successfully connected the head of one body with the spine, blood vessels, and nerves of another. In the coming week, we will publish detailed data, procedures, and results related to this head transplant in the American academic journal 'SNI (Surgical Neurology International).' The full surgical process will be included in the publication."
When asked how they could prove the success of the operation, Ren Xiaoping responded, "Academic journals will publish our findings, which will serve as proof of its academic value. No one had previously outlined how to perform such a procedure—how to cut, how to manage nerves, or how to handle blood vessels and muscles. We have developed these methods, and this is our achievement."
"This operation is extremely significant. It marks the beginning of original and initial research in this field. Some people believe it could be a milestone in medicine. For instance, central nervous system regeneration has long been considered an insurmountable challenge. This procedure addresses a series of critical issues, including dissection, tissue repair, and functional recovery. We have provided a detailed description and innovative designs for these steps," Ren Xiaoping emphasized.
However, when questioned whether this success meant a living head transplant was now possible, Ren Xiaoping noted that the success rate on living organisms remains unknown and that pre-clinical designs will continue to evolve.
Another voice in the debate argues that the operation should not be called surgery at all. Professor Hu Yongsheng, deputy director of Functional Neurosurgery at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, stated, "This so-called head transplant was performed on a cadaver and, strictly speaking, cannot be considered a real surgery. Surgery should be performed on living patients. What was done here is more of an anatomical study."
Hu Yongsheng pointed out that while current technology allows for the reconstruction of blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and bones, the most challenging part is ensuring perfect spinal cord regeneration and functional recovery. He added that although there have been some international breakthroughs, discussing live head transplants now lacks practical significance.
"I believe animal experiments must be thoroughly conducted before moving to human trials. This is a responsible approach to patient safety and aligns with medical ethics," Hu said. "Head transplantation may eventually become a reality, but it is still far off."
While cautiously optimistic about future developments, Hu also acknowledged that the recent anatomical study could represent an early step toward real "head swapping" experiments. "Its successful execution is just the first step, and humans are still far from achieving a living head transplant," he concluded.
Meanwhile, ethical concerns surrounding the concept of identity after a head transplant have resurfaced. Hu Yongsheng raised the question: "Who is 'you' after the operation?" He stressed that while scientific exploration is valuable, excessive hype can be misleading. "Medical progress often comes with controversy, and people should regulate and discuss new ideas without hindering them," he said.
Ren Xiaoping echoed this sentiment, noting that medical history has always been marked by controversy. "In 1953, the first kidney transplant faced criticism. People thought it was unnatural to change the course of life. The same happened with heart transplants, and even hand transplants were once controversial. But over time, they became accepted," he explained.
"As a doctor, my mission is to push boundaries. The core of medical ethics lies in saving lives. While society may debate new procedures, we cannot stop progress. History shows that no force can halt innovation," Ren said.
(Science and Technology Daily, Harbin, Beijing, November 19th)
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