In the event that a full "head transplant" is possible, what are the moral and ethical boundaries?

Question

Science is quickly evolving, and before you know it a full on "head transplant" will be not only possible, but actually carried out. Religious advocates say that removing one's head from one's body will deteriorate the integrity of the individual involved.
The real question is this: is the soul attached to the human body itself as in the heart, or is it a perceptive state of mind preserved in the brain. And with the removal of one's body, will the individual remain the same, or is it safe to say that with such a dramatic change it is impossible to remain who you once were.

Answer 1

It all comes down to what you define as 'soul'.
If you're of the opinion that 'soul' refers to ones mental existance (Personality, etc) then in reality it all comes down to memories.
Every action and reaction in our life is based on what we already know or in some cases know that we don't know (in the case of curiosity), and from our choice of actions stems our sense of morals, preferences and opinions. If this is taken into example, then we can say that a person is 'technically' dead when any of these things dramatically change, via a traumatic event or somesuch thing. ("Ever since the accident, he's been like a different person").
So in answer to your question, a person should be able to retain ones self as long as one of the following don't occur
1. their is irrefutable damage to your brain during the operation, damaging/destroying important memories or resulting in loss of certain brain funcionts, or
2. The person in question lived with a disabilaty or injury an such a way that it was a part of ones definition of self, the removal of this cornerstone of their life will most likeley result in a significant change to the way he/she thinks and feels. (e.g someone who had been paraplegic since childhood)

Answer 2

In all honesty i do not think we will ever advance that far in this century. A "head" transplant would require a medical decapitation..which is instantaneous death. If they could fuse a head on another body; it would be obvious that permanent spinal cord injuries would no longer exist,which to me would be a fantastic achievement. As to the question of a "soul"...the persons psyche I believe would never adapt to its "new surroundings". The brain is such a wonderful compex machine..grafting the head on another body as a life extension procedure is kind of weird to think about..having a 90 year-old head on a 30 year old body...sounds like a sci-fi novel. I think it is impossible to be the same person you were if such a procedure could be carried out....the ethical questions alone...I could go on for several paragraphs. An intriguing question though.

Answer 3

Oh ppl when are you going to learn that there is a separation b/t the spiritual and the physical. They were asking these kinds of questions yrs ago when they contemplated heart transplants. Then cloning. And what did they get? A functional heart and a completely different person, essentially a twin (aged). BTW, If this were ever possible (which I think is a long time off if ever) I don't know the consequences physically but your soul is yours; you won't attain someone else's......

Answer 4

I could be mistaken, but didn't Hitler have some plan to make a world full of "genetically superior" WASPish types....didn't work out so well for him, now did it? My general rule in life is to avoid being like Hitler, so I'll have to say that I wouldn't want to create a genetic "super baby". Taking out the family history of heart disease & cancer is one thing, taking out the family's ears, hairline (or lack thereof), and eye color is another. And when you start talking about abilities and interests.....that's where it goes WAY too far. That's not toeing the "unethical" line, its carelessly blowing past it because what that suggests is all too often playing with someone's free will, which God gave us for a reason. Its the stuff of horror films!

Answer 5

Without noticing this question while scrolling down - I doubt I would ever have given this a thought.

It's pretty much determined with present day technology that the sole isn't in the heart, or lungs, liver, kidneys or eyes - or is it?

Kind of makes one wonder if the sole is even part of this mortal and fragile body of ours. Perhaps it is an entity all of its own and our body is the manifestation of the sole.

I doubt anyone can answer these questions. Good question, though.

Answer 6

I say that for one, you shouldn't have your head transplanted onto another body. It is wierd, and it is cheating death.

However I don't think a person would never be the same. If you are an athlete and you are put onto a whimpy body. and vice versa. Well... you know.

besides, chemicals in the body might change the way you act, or the way you think. Like Testosterone (or however you spell it).

I could say more but it would be a couple pages long.

Answer 7

A person is defined by their head. Biologically speaking most of who we are originate in the brain. If you got a new head/brain, I think you'd be a new person.

However, here is the better question...is it really a head transplant, or is it really a body transplant? I am guessing that this procedure would more likely be performed where a living person's head is transplanted to a donor body.

Answer 8

well, maybe they will also have atificial bodies, like they have mechanical hearts. I don't think the soul will be a big issue for religion. They'll probably get stuck on the possibility that you can have a body with a different gender than your head.

Answer 9

I think you should ask Marie Antoinette this whacky question and see what she thinks.

Answer 10

Not sure but it would be awsome