A 36-year-old man has undergone the world’s first successful head transplant. The ground-breaking operation took a team of surgeons 19 hours to complete and has allowed the patient to be cancer-free.
Paul Horner, who was diagnosed with bone cancer five years ago, was on the verge of death when he was approved for the controversial and possibly deadly operation.
Doctor Tom Downey, who was part of the South African team who carried out the operation, told CNN he is thrilled about the results. “It’s a massive breakthrough. We’ve proved that it can be done – we can give someone a brand new body that is just as good, or better, than their previous one.
The success of this operation leads to infinite possibilities.”
Surgeons at Charlotte Maxexe Johannesburg Academic Hospital in SA did the operation in February but had to wait until they could confirm it was successful before they made any public statement.
Downey spoke to reporters on the complexity behind the first ever head transplant. “This procedure is another excellent example of how medical research, technical know-how and patient-centered care can be combined in the quest to relieve human suffering.”
The operation was led by Professor Myron Danus and took place on February 10, 2015.
“Our goal is for Horner to be fully functional in two years and so far we are very pleased by his rapid recovery,” said prof. Danus. “Before the operation, Horner’s body was riddled with cancer and he had less than a month to live. We were fortunate enough to find a donor body; a 21-year-old man who has been brain dead from a serious car accident that happened in 2012. The boys body worked just fine, but his brain was not functioning whatsoever, and there was absolutely no chance of recovery.
He added: “We received approval from the young man’s parents to use their sons body to do the operation. They were extremely happy their son could save a life even in the vegetated state that he was in.”
The man, Horner, has made 85% recovery; walking, talking, doing things a healthy individual does…
A very good news for SA medical team,when. Will Nigerian government begin to archieve such fit,may be until they make a law that will Stop public office holders to travel Europe to seek medical treatment with tax payers money.
Anthony, don’t get thing wrong it was Nigeria man who was a doctor in America that first did a successful head transplanting of dogs in 80’s but the guy died very young he was from Ilesa in Osun state. The problem here is that our government actions is not encouraging at all.
Did u get yourself right a Nigerian based in America this one is SA doctors based in S/Africa Anthony is 100% right
Awesome Nife Conga
That research for u. A doctor buys books with h their salary reading and thinking if possible way to save a life .
What about security agent, eg, police that buy kits with his salary, what is he doing?
To make money
This is a very wonderful achievement in medical history but all the same God is far perfect than human, it will be disastrous for a man liking Himself to God, your achievement is by His grace, do not engage in self aggrandisement, if u don’t want God’s wrath on your research…thanks Akinola O
Nigeria
I think we need total overhauling in all the strata’s of our economy void of corruption and nepotism, sectionalism and sycophancies otherwise SA will be a leading role model for Nigeria to tread on. Our brain drain Sisters and Brothers have gone to abroad where they can be free of oppression by the money bags people whom have no shame rather than to a spoiler.
See its like u rup Peter to pay Paul…
As for man it is good but I am asking ,it is good in GOD ‘s eyes ?
So on The day of judgement or resurrection who will be The body ?,will it be The 21 year old man’ s body or the man himself (the 39 year old man ) ?
By Richard Boateng, TarkwaGhana
Good question
Congratulations to the SA medical team for this successful surgery….More researches ahead of us..
killing is not good, this is not good (killing is involved)… who will be the next head donor……ooh am happy God as a the best way of doing things.
killing is not good, this is not good (killing is involved)… who will be the next head donor?……ooh am happy God as a the best way of doing things.
On the day of resurrection… Only the soul is judged not the body whatsoever… The body perish and goes back to become dust. Thanks
This is not true. are the bad story.
Wow Big up to the Team that made this operation
Congrats to the team
Human being is truly has the nature of God
That’s wonderful
Appreciate for this, and the procedure was took place in Africa. Proudly African
Subhana-Allah!! Unbelievable!! Though, I study in Medical department right here in Nigerian university… I cannot believe it but I can believe if I reach the position because now I am medical student
Thanks
. I luv Africa
This is serious I’m shocked to see this picture…well the surgeons tried but I think they are challenging God.
Brother, don’t be ignorant! They are exhibiting the Glory of Allah (translated God in English). You simply need to thank God for the gift of knowledge given to them. Knowledge is power, but that power does not make the knowledgeable equal to Allah, the Lord, Creator, Cherisher, Sustainer and the Grantor of success to the successful team of surgeons. Do u understand?
wonderful
dis is serious, here is my question: pls what name will this half-cast i.e head +body will be. Chai!! Dis is too bad fr killing 1 person whose brain is nt functioning. there is GOD o
The best groundbreaking news ever in 2015. I like functionality.
Who actually is d living soul. Is it d owner is d body or d head
http://www.elitereaders.com/worlds-first-successful-head-transplant/ TN IS A HOAX! PLEASE CHECK YOUR SOURCES BEFORE POSTING SUCH NONSENSE!
@richard, the body will decay.. The person that will be questioned on the day of judgement is the soul of a man which was not taken from the 21yr old boy…. Everything God and Satan is pursuing is the soul of man not his body, or did u not hear when jesus said fear not the man who can kill the body and cannot kill the soul….. To the researchers, kudos. You people are putting SA in her rightful place and God bless you all.. God bless SA… For my country Nigeria, we have the human resources but our HRM is the worst in the world according to my classification.. Nigeria is about to be following SA totally even though we have been following the, partially… Why will there not be xenophobic attack in SA, make we youth better open our head first then our eyes and strengthen our fist… Anyway God bless Nigeria!!!
The world is becoming smtin else how possible is That
This is incredible!science is indeed life saving! @those who think transplanting the living head into the living body of a dead head is evil,what will you do if you happened to be the living head of a dead body in a brand new body after full recovery? Will you have your head removed and returned to your dead body??? Let’s praise God the greatest scientist!!
this detestable medical breakthrough I have ever read. ethically bankrupt. this is not the kind people should applauded.
Let’s Give Cudos To Them, But I Dont Think GOD Is Happy With It
A big job weldon to the medical team for the success of the surgery! !! !!!