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TagOrgan transplants

Fetuses in Vials artificial grown, in vitro fertilization of babies, embryo growth future technologies, human cloning vials, fetuses test tubes, babies grown laboratories 3D illustration

How Far Will Experimenting on the Unborn Go?

We have been told by some bioethicists that a born baby is no different morally than a fetus, so why stop there?
Some will ask, if we can artificially gestate fetuses to that stage, why not harvest them for organs? That has already been proposed. Repeatedly. Read More ›
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Organ transplantation medical professional in a rush, following a strict procedure with an organ transplant case

Reuters Pulls Vid Where Xi Hails Organ Transplants for Longevity

Putin didn’t seem to care much about what he was heard to say about organ transplants but China is known to harvest organs from doomed political prisoners
When dictators adopt transhumanism, it won't just be Ray Kurzweil trying to upload himself to digital immortality. There will be a very dark side. Read More ›
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Modern day slavery, illegal trade of human organs on the black market and forced organ harvesting of death row inmates concept theme with a liver, heart and kidney with price tags and a barcode

Xi and Putin Are Transhumanists – Are You Surprised?

Transhumanism is mostly a materialistic wail of despair in the night, a desperate quest for hope for those who are terrified that death leads to obliteration
It wouldn’t surprise me if Xi has a political prisoner all tissue-typed and ready to be sliced and diced should the need arise. Read More ›
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Anatomy human body model. Part of human body model with organ system.

Are Human Brain Transplants Even Possible?

What would be the outcome if one person received transplants from the brains of others? If it’s not possible, there may be a good reason why not

Earlier this week, I discussed the work of Dr. Robert White, a neurosurgeon in the mid-20th century who did extensive research on head transplants in animals. The operation sometimes worked, most notably in monkeys. But it has never been done in humans, mostly because head transplantation would mean cutting the spinal cord, which would cause complete and permanent paralysis. The most reasonable perspective on the soul is that it is the active principle of the body — that is, the soul is what the body does. Thus soul follows function. From this perspective, I infer that after a head transplant, I would see with my original eyes, hear with my original ears, etc. If I were able to move my Read More ›

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Electrocardiogram in hospital surgery operating emergency room showing patient heart rate with blur team of surgeons background

Are Head Transplants Soul Transplants?

Specifically, if your head were transplanted, would your soul go with it?

Wired offers a fascinating article about Dr. Robert White, a neurosurgeon in the mid-20th century who was famous for his extensive research on head transplants. He transplanted heads of various animals, often unsuccessfully (many animals died) but with some success, particularly with monkeys. The medical, ethical, and sociological issues are interesting in themselves, but I’ll focus here on the metaphysical issues. Specifically, if your head is transplanted, does your soul go with it? First, it worth noting that head transplantation is difficult surgery but doable. We know how to sew blood vessels together, how to fuse spinal bones, how to attach tracheas and muscles and peripheral nerves. Transplantation of an entire head (or an entire body, depending on your perspective) Read More ›