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.

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