X-Message-Number: 21456 References: <> Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 22:09:18 +0100 (CET) Subject: Re: plastination From: > From: > Greg Jordan asks about plastination. To repeat, attempts to preserve > structure, with minimal attention to function, including fancy types of > embalming using glutaraldehyde, have not been given high priority by > anyone > in cryonics for the very simple reason that, to my knowledge, no specimen > of > any kind has been revived after such treatment. Ironically, this sounds a lot like the standard argument used against cryonics, and the standard answer applies: our task is merely to "preserve to the best of our (financial!) abilities". Future scientists and technology will take care of reconstruction & revival. > Similar remarks apply to > drying or freeze-drying (unless you count bacteria). This doesn't > necessarily > mean such things are hopeless, Correct, this merely means that *presumably* we don't yet have the technology to do this (which, considering that there has, afaik, never been any serious research effort in this field, is hardly surprising). > but we have to prioritize our limited > resources. We will at some point investigate these questions in a more > orderly way. Yes, this makes perfect sense from a cryonics organization's point of view. However, it is also a fact that plastination, freeze-drying, and various means of chemopreservation could and *should* be used as low-budget cryonics alternatives by those who can't afford, or simply don't want to spend much money on, regular suspension services. It is the rational, moral, aesthetic, and civilized thing to do, **regardless of the ultimate outcome.** Can't repeat this often enough, really. While it is, again, perfectly understandable that existing cryonics organizations aren't too interested in setting up a low-budget preservation "service", it is rather strange that the topic receives so little attention in the immortalist community; surely, there must be dozens of people "out there" (and "in here") who either a) want preservation themselves but can't (yet) afford cryonics, b) have a friend or family member who has this problem, or c) simply want to support a "good cause". What's up? As always, see http://www.transtopia.org/plastination.html for more info about various (potential) low-budget cryonics alternatives. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=21456