This is the first man to undergo a head transplant

The first human head transplant could be performed as early as next year, says Dr. Segio Canavero of Turin Advance Neuromodulation Group (TANG).

Though a number of researchers around the world are highly skeptical about the procedure, it’s close to becoming a reality.

Valery Spiridonov, a 30-year old computer scientist from Vladimor, Russia, will reportedly be the first to undergo a head transplant.

Spiridonov has Werdnig-Hoffman disease. Individuals who have this kind of disease are unable to walk and are often unable to sit unaided.

He’s the first man to volunteer for a head transplant because he wants the chance to get a new body before he dies, he told MailOnline.

“I can hardly control my body now,” he said. “I need help every day, every minute. I am now 30 years old, although people rarely live to more than 20 with this disease.”

Spiridonov admitted that he feels scared and anxious about undergoing the procedure.

“You have to understand that I don’t really have many choices,” he added. “If I don’t try this chance, my fate will be very sad. With every year, my state is getting worse.”

See the video to know more about his decision to participate in HEAVEN-GEMINI:

Dr. Canevero said that he has received an enormous number of emails and letters from people asking to be considered for the procedure, many of whom are from transgender individuals who wanted to gain a new body. However, the surgeon says they will prioritize people with those muscle-wasting conditions like Spiridonov.

Photo by Maxim Zmeyev, Reuters