Valery Spiridonov, 33, said that he is not pursuing the pioneering treatment because he can't leave Anastasia Panfilova and their baby son
A LOVED-up Russian due to be the first man to have his head transplanted on to another body says his feelings for his glamorous wife changed his mind.
Severely handicapped Valery Spiridonov, 33, was poised to have his head severed by Professor Sergio Canavero and attached to a new spine in experimental surgery.
However, he now admits he couldn't face leaving his wife and newborn baby for the months needed for the groundbreaking procedure.
The 33-year-old suffers from muscle-wasting disease Werdnig-Hoffman, a form of spinal muscular atrophy which can lead to a short life.
Today he told Good Morning Britain: "I (am) with a woman who I fell in love with I'm happy to say I'm married and have a beautiful kid now.
"I cannot leave them without my attention even for a few months."
Italian Canavero - dubbed Dr Frankenstein - has recently hit out claims the severance of a head from the spine means certain death.
And Mr Spiridnov said this morning: "I still support the research. Recent achievements in China are very important because they can help people all over the world walk again.
I cannot leave them without my attention even for a few months
Valery Spiridonov
"I have become a really happy person I have moved to the United States and I'm getting my Masters degree here. I really appreciate my faith and my wife."
He described his son as a "miracle" after the child was born healthy despite his condition being hereditary.
His wife Anastasia Panfilova holds a masters degree in chemical technology and underwent many tests during her pregnancy.
Computer expert Valery worked for two years with Dr Canavero but now accepts his first attempts at the futuristic surgery will now be on Chinese volunteers rather than him.
The Russian has now moved to America to the University of Florida where he is studying the computer analysis of emotions.
In a recent posting he revealed that with him in America are his bride Anastasia - in her early 30s - and the couple’s recently-born son. A picture showed the proud father holding the baby.
Valery said of the doctor in December: "I am deeply grateful to Canavero. Thanks to our joint efforts, a lot is changing for the better, and for me too."
He admitted: "I feel a weight lifted off my chest. I never had a vain motive to become the first (head transplant).
"I gave two years of my life to this project. I will be glad to see it happening (with someone else).”
