X-Message-Number: 3041
Subject: CRYONICS:Money for research
From:  (Charles Platt)
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 94 21:12:43 EDT

Paul Wakfer has suggested that for $5 million in research, we 
could have reversible brain cryopreservation. In reply, it 
has been objected that neither he nor anyone else happens to 
have $5 million to spare. 
 
Well, of course not. But suppose there are perhaps 500 hard-
core cryonicists in the world. Suppose they agree that 
reversible brain cryopreservation is the most desirable goal 
in cryonics, since it would GREATLY increase our chances for 
survival. If each cryonicist puts in $10,000, that's all it 
takes to reach Wakfer's figure. 
 
Of course, his figure may be too low, and we may quibble 
about who is qualified to do the research, and what precise 
path it should take, and so on, and so forth. My point, 
however, is the principle which is involved here. Do we, as a 
community, believe that research on reversible brain 
cryopreservation should be our highest priority? And if so, 
are many of us willing to put some money into it? 
 
In my experience, the answer to both of these questions is 
"no," because most cryonicists prefer to believe that our 
current (somewhat limited) capabilities are satisfactory. I 
don't share this faith, which is why I have already put my 
$10,000 into research (21st Century Medicine, when the 
company was established). 
 
I am constantly surprised and troubled by the willingness of 
so many cryonicists to accept the current status-quo. 
 
     --Charles Platt, vice president, CryoCare
     (I speak for myself, not necessarily for CryoCare.) 


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Charles Platt  /  1133 Broadway (room 1214)  /  New York  /  NY 10010 
               / phone  212 929 3983

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