A rare voice box transplant helped a cancer patient speak again, part of a pioneering study
Associated PressJUL 2024
The Spin
Narrative A
While Kedian's health history made him a good candidate for this transplant, overall it's risky, experimental, and may not be widely applicable. Immunosuppressant drugs increase the risk of cancer growth and relapse, while patients can survive and have decent quality of life without their larynx.
Narrative B
Kedian's quality of life suffered greatly due to the loss of larynx, leaving him depressed and isolated. This historic transplant has given him a new lease on life, one which is well worth the risk of this complicated surgery. Hopefully, this innovative clinical trial will lead to many more happy outcomes.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 50% chance that the first human head transplant will not occur before September 2047, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
