Lately I have been hearing/reading a lot of ancedotal tales of transplant patients developing new interests and picking up the traits of the donar.

I assume there is only anecdotal evidence at this point linking the two. If that were compiled and say over 50% were positive for personality contamination what does that mean? How would we fashion a study to prove or disprove this theory?

Furthermore: Would this organ be a “parasite” or be considered “invasive”? Is it ethical to “consume” another’s idenity? Is there anyway it could be controlled? I mean everyone has positive and negative aspects to their persona. At the age most people are receiving transplants they have an identity. What if the traits clash or are unhealthy. Not to mention just adjusting… “Organ identity crisis” would be the next thing in pop psy. Imagine that this were happening to you- what would you do, think, feel, cope?

Topics: health, emotions, identity, hypothetical questions, pop psychology