It could be much worse -- a brain transplantation, or more precisely a whole-body transplantation.
If someone wanted to prolong their life by transplanting their brain to a new young body, they would need to be very careful about not appearing too wise for their age. Younger than full age, and even their freedom to conduct mad science would be seriously limited. But when you get the body of a known child genius... suddenly everything has a natural explanation and all kinds of people are trying to help you!
I'm friends with an incredibly smart kid. He's 14, but has been put up three grades in school at one point. He does all the obvious enrichment things which are available in the relatively small Australian city he lives in.
His life experience has been pretty unusual. He doesn't really know what it's like to be challenged in school. All his friends are way older than he is. (Once, I asked him how being constantly around people older than him made him feel. He replied, "Concerned for my future.")
He doesn't know anyone like him, which I think is a shame: he'd probably get along very well with them.
Does anyone know any similar kid geniuses? If so, can I give them my friend's details?
Thanks.