Ignoring concerns about medical ethics in China, an Italian-Chinese medical team confirmed that its plans to perform the world's first-ever human head transplant.
Ren Xiaping, along with Italian surgeon Sergio Canavero, intend to attempt the historic procedure in 2017, but only if the preparatory research and tests go according to plan, Ren said, according to AFP.
"A lot of media have been saying we will definitely attempt the surgery by 2017, but that's only if every step before that proceeds smoothly," he stated.
The man who's head will be used in the operation is 30-year-old Valery Spiridonov, reported Fox News. Spiridonov was diagnosed with a genetic muscle-deteorating condition called Werdnig-Hoffmann Disease, which generally leads to chewing, swallowing and breathing difficulties, as well as a loss of motor functions,
When Spiridonov learned that he could participate he immediately agreed, ignoring the potential risks involved.
"When I realized that I could participate in something really big and important, I had no doubt left in my mind and started to work in this direction," said Spiridonov, a Russian computer scientist. "The only thing I feel is the sense of pleasant impatience, like I have been preparing for something important all my life and it is starting to happen."
One issue the pair will face is getting a donor body. Since the operation would likely take place at Harbin Medical University in China, the donor, in theory, would be from China as well. However, organ donations in the country aren't widespread since many Chinese believe they'll be reincarnated after death and as such would require a complete body when they do.
Once they get a donor and the operation is underway, the operation will last 36 hours, and it will require Spiridonov's head be cooled as well as the donor's body to extend the period during which the cells could survive without oxygen.
Spiridonov joked that first thing he plans to do after the procedure is go on a vacation, according to Discovery.
"But on a serious note, this operation is aimed at restoring independence of severely disabled people. Once I get it back I'll see what the life of a healthier person looks like," he said.
