Man To Undergo World’s First Head Transplant As Early As Next Year

A terminally ill man could become the first to undergo a human head transplant as early as next year. Valery Spiridonov, 31, suffers from Werdnig-Hoffman’s disease – a rare form of spinal muscular atrophy that causes muscle degeneration, as well as problems chewing, swallowing and breathing.



Now he has volunteered for the groundbreaking procedure, which will be carried out by neurosurgeons in China and led by Italian doctor Dr Sergio Canavero.

Valery told ITV’s Good Morning Britain that although the procedure is incredibly risky, he was willing to ‘give it a go’ to try and improve his quality of life and contribute to a potential medical breakthrough.My current condition is pretty heavy,’ he continued. ‘I cannot take care of myself, I cannot walk, I need constant assistance. My motivation is about improving my life conditions and to get to the stage where I will be able to take care of myself and be independent of other people.’

The operation, which will cost £10million and take 150 medical staff 36 hours to complete, has never been attempted on a human before. Scientists have attempted the procedure on animals, but with limited success.