![Karl Merk (C) and the surgeons Christoph Hoehnke (L) and Edgar Biemer pictured in the park of the central clinic in Memmingen, Germany, 22 July 2009. Merk received the first arm transplant Karl Merk (C) and the surgeons Christoph Hoehnke (L) and Edgar Biemer pictured in the park of the central clinic in Memmingen, Germany, 22 July 2009. Merk received the first arm transplant](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/D4KGP1/karl-merk-c-and-the-surgeons-christoph-hoehnke-l-and-edgar-biemer-D4KGP1.jpg)
Karl Merk (C) and the surgeons Christoph Hoehnke (L) and Edgar Biemer pictured in the park of the central clinic in Memmingen, Germany, 22 July 2009. Merk received the first arm transplant
![Der Unterallgäuer Landwirt Karl Merk 2013, fünf Jahre nach der weltweit ersten beidseitigen Armtransplantation Der Unterallgäuer Landwirt Karl Merk 2013, fünf Jahre nach der weltweit ersten beidseitigen Armtransplantation](http://www.jensen-media.de/webgalerie/merk/original/jm_merk_2013_002.jpg)
Der Unterallgäuer Landwirt Karl Merk 2013, fünf Jahre nach der weltweit ersten beidseitigen Armtransplantation
![Karl Merk touches his face during a press conference in the central clinic in Memmingen, Germany, 22 July 2009. Merk received the first arm transplant worldwide one year ago. After the nerves Karl Merk touches his face during a press conference in the central clinic in Memmingen, Germany, 22 July 2009. Merk received the first arm transplant worldwide one year ago. After the nerves](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/D4KGMN/karl-merk-touches-his-face-during-a-press-conference-in-the-central-D4KGMN.jpg)
Karl Merk touches his face during a press conference in the central clinic in Memmingen, Germany, 22 July 2009. Merk received the first arm transplant worldwide one year ago. After the nerves
![Der Unterallgäuer Landwirt Karl Merk 2013, fünf Jahre nach der weltweit ersten beidseitigen Armtransplantation Der Unterallgäuer Landwirt Karl Merk 2013, fünf Jahre nach der weltweit ersten beidseitigen Armtransplantation](http://www.jensen-media.de/webgalerie/merk/original/jm_merk_2013_001.jpg)
Der Unterallgäuer Landwirt Karl Merk 2013, fünf Jahre nach der weltweit ersten beidseitigen Armtransplantation
![Karl Merk is pictured at the central clinic in Memmingen, Germany, 22 July 2009. Merk received the first arm transplant worldwide one year ago. After the nerves have grown back, Merk can Karl Merk is pictured at the central clinic in Memmingen, Germany, 22 July 2009. Merk received the first arm transplant worldwide one year ago. After the nerves have grown back, Merk can](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/D4KGNY/karl-merk-is-pictured-at-the-central-clinic-in-memmingen-germany-22-D4KGNY.jpg)
Karl Merk is pictured at the central clinic in Memmingen, Germany, 22 July 2009. Merk received the first arm transplant worldwide one year ago. After the nerves have grown back, Merk can
![German farmer Karl Merk, 54, looks at his transplanted arms in a Munich hospital, October 10, 2008. Merk who received the world's first complete double arm transplant is able to perform some German farmer Karl Merk, 54, looks at his transplanted arms in a Munich hospital, October 10, 2008. Merk who received the world's first complete double arm transplant is able to perform some](https://c8.alamy.com/compfr/2d299k2/german-farmer-karl-merk-54-looks-at-his-transplanted-arms-in-a-munich-hospital-october-10-2008-merk-who-received-the-worlds-first-complete-double-arm-transplant-is-able-to-perform-some-basic-tasks-but-it-still-could-take-up-to-two-years-until-he-re-learns-how-to-use-his-hands-properly-doctors-spent-15-hours-on-july-25-26-grafting-the-donor-arms-onto-the-body-of-merk-who-lost-his-own-just-below-the-shoulder-in-a-farm-accident-involving-a-combine-six-years-ago-reuters-alexandra-beier-germany-2d299k2.jpg)