Human Transmutation (Alchemy)

Human Transmutation is the act of bringing some living object back to life. For example a person. The Elric Brothers attempted this to bring back their mother. They failed, and their limbs and bodies where taken. This is just one of the many things that happen when you fail at Human Transmutation. It is revealed that no human transumation can be called a "success," as you can not bring back a dead persons person's soul. This is revealed by Van Hohenhiem when he visits Pinako Rockbell. He states that the person Alphonse and Edward created was an entirely different being than Trisha, their deceased mother. This fact brings them and Izumi Curtis great comfort. Izumi tried to transmute her stillborn son, which lead to the loss of a majority of her internal organs as her "fee" for Truth.