The concept of head transplantation, once relegated to the realm of science fiction, is gaining renewed attention from life-extension advocates and Silicon Valley startups, despite skepticism surrounding its feasibility. Italian neurosurgeon Sergio Canavero, who gained notoriety in 2017 for claiming a successful head transplant between two corpses in China, has long championed the procedure as a potential solution for aging and certain medical conditions.

Canavero's proposed technique involves severing the head of a patient suffering from conditions like muscular dystrophy or spinal muscular atrophy and attaching it to a donor body with a healthy brain. The procedure, which Canavero calls HEAVEN (head anastomosis venture), aims to fuse the spinal cords using polyethylene glycol, a chemical compound also known as PEG. This fusion, he argues, would allow the patient to regain motor function and sensation in the new body.

However, the medical community remains largely unconvinced. Critics point to the immense technical challenges involved in reconnecting the spinal cord, preventing immune rejection, and ensuring proper brain function after transplantation. Arthur Caplan, a bioethicist at New York University, has described Canavero's claims as "outlandish" and "unethical," citing the lack of scientific evidence to support the procedure's viability.

Canavero's career has faced significant hurdles. After publishing his surgical ideas a decade ago, he stated he was dismissed from Molinette Hospital in Turin, where he had worked for 22 years. "I'm an out-of-the-establishment guy. So that has made things harder, I have to say," Canavero said.

Despite the controversy and skepticism, Canavero maintains that head transplantation offers the only viable solution for aging. "It's become absolutely clear over the past years that the idea of some incredible tech to rejuvenate elderly [people] is not on the horizon," he stated. He believes that advancements in microsurgery, immunosuppression, and regenerative medicine could eventually make the procedure a reality.

The renewed interest from life-extension enthusiasts and stealth Silicon Valley startups suggests that research and development in this area may continue, albeit behind closed doors. While the prospect of head transplantation remains highly speculative, its potential impact on the medical field and society as a whole warrants continued observation and ethical consideration. The future of this field hinges on overcoming significant technical and ethical challenges, and demonstrating the procedure's safety and efficacy through rigorous scientific research.