Pssst! Hey! You
there: You wanna buy a brain?
Yes, it’s true. You can actually buy a brain. Just ask the
folks at The American Brain
Foundation (formerly known as The American Academy of Neurology Foundation).
Remember the Scarecrow (played by actor Ray Bolger) in The Wizard of Oz film (1939), based on
the 1900 Wonderful Wizard of Oz
children’s novel by L. Frank Baum?
Perhaps we can all quote the Scarecrow’s musical and mindful
miseries, as he crooned and crusaded for a brain. (Of course, genuine Wizard of Oz book and movie fans, who
use their heads, know that the Scarecrow was probably the smartest character in
the whole story.) Still, the Scarecrow’s catchy lyrics did set viewers to
thinking:
“And my
head I'd be scratchin'
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain.”
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain.”
Perhaps the great and mighty and mysterious Wizard of Oz
could not grant the Scarecrow’s wish and give him a brand-new brain. But today, it seems anyone can buy a brain.
The American Brain
Foundation offers brains for sale.
You can buy a brain for just $5.00. Nope, this is not the stuff of late-night scary movies. And no one gets hurt.
It’s even legal.
For a sawbuck, anyone can purchase a virtual brain to
support neurological research. Colorful virtual brains may be purchased online,
using major credit cards.
Brains may be named to honor family members or friends. Once
brains are bought and labeled, they appear on The Virtual Brain Wall. The Brain
Wall is an interactive screen, where website viewers may scroll and see the
floated donated brains. Hovering type boxes reveal donor messages, such as
honorees’ names. A search bar enables viewers to locate particular personalized
brains as well.
Of course, anonymous brains may be purchased as well, and
donors can purchase multiple brains.
Proceeds from these cerebral sales may be expected to fund
the scientific search for prevention, treatment and cures of such neurological
conditions as Alzheimer's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Attention
Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADhD), Autism,
Back Pain, Brain and Spinal Tumors, Cerebral Palsy, Dementia, Dystonias, Epilepsy,
Headaches, Migraines, Multiple Sclerosis, Myasthenia Gravis, Parkinson's
Disease, Restless Legs Syndrome, Shingles, Sleep Apnea, Stroke and Traumatic
Brain Injury.
Hey, that’s using
their heads.
Think it over. A brain for five bucks – and a bouncing
on-screen brain to honor someone special? A sawbuck for some grey matter to
help medical research? Why not?
Image/s:
Scarecrow
The Wizard of Oz
promo photo - fair use
Who wants to buy a new brain? Maybe you can.
Created by this user,
including public domain artwork
No comments:
Post a Comment