X-Message-Number: 11994 Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999 13:02:12 -0700 (PDT) From: Doug Skrecky <> Subject: Why Cryonics Isn't Popular In Message #11989 Saul Kent <> wrote: > I believe the primary reasons people favorable to cryonics don't sign up are: 1) The prevailing scientific opinion that cryonics patients are preserved so badly that it won't be possible to restore them to life. <etc> > I am one of that cadre of people favorable to cryonics, but who have not signed up. Based on what I have heard of the techniques currently being used, my own opinion is that if restoration is possible in principle, that this would not be technologically feasible for a millenia or more. I know this is an unpopular notion with most of those involved in the cryonics movement. However I have seen nothing, except the research being sponsored by Saul Kent that might make me change this opinion. An unfortunate consequence of this estimate is that cryonics as it is currently being practiced is very unlikely to succeed it its goal of restoration. Either, other techniques which could enable inexpensive long term storage for a millenium (freeze-drying for example), or alternatively reversible cryopreservation, or both (reversible freeze-drying) would be needed before a more favorable outlook could be maintained. This is one man's opinion, though I suspect variations on this basic position are responsible for why so few ever sign up. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=11994