X-Message-Number: 31606
From: "Jordan Sparks" <>
References: <>
Subject: How can we help those who cannot afford cryonics?
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:57:49 -0700

The way we do it is chemical preservation with the option to convert to
cryopreservation.  This is the direction I have been moving very steadily in
for years.  A hospital pathologist can remove the brain and submerge it in
fixative.  It would be shipped after 1 week in fixative.  Permanent storage
could be in fixative for the truly indigent.  But a better option for those
who could afford it would be to convert to cryopreservation.  The cost might
start at about $20,000, but could get down to about $12,000 after the first
few due to economies of scale. The brain would remain in fixative until the
full cryopreservation cost was paid for, and only then go into a dewar.

Some advantages:
1. Can accept patients immediately without pre-signed contract.
2. No delay due to funding problems.
3. No remote standby teams.
4. Storing brains is less repugnant to public than storing heads.
5. No time pressure other than the initial fixation at the hospital.
6. Can optionally transition patient to cryopreservation.  Or not.
7. Even less space needed than for an encephalon.
8. We can safely provide a totally free option for someone who's indigent.
9. Funeral industry regulators much less likely to get involved if it's just
a brain.
10. Locks molecules in place many hours sooner than if transported by
airplane first.

Disadvantages:
1. In some cases, might be slower to lock molecules in place than cooling.
Very complex topic.  The paper on fixing the whale brains largely convinces
me that it is fast enough.
2. Pathologists are not known for being gentle.
3. Damage will result from handling the brain.  Examples include compression
and tearing.  I don't feel that there is much loss of information with this
kind of damage.
4. Pathologist might not be on duty when patient dies.
5. Patient might not be in a hospital.
6. If they don't transition to cryopreservation, damage will be ongoing for
decades.
7. Even if they do transition to cryopreservation, some damage will still
happen during the many weeks of cryoprotectant diffusion.

I'm not saying this option is ideal in all cases.  But it does answer your
question of how we can help those who cannot afford cryonics.

Unfortunately, nobody is yet providing this service.  I also fully realize
that nobody but me has been strongly advocating this option.  So if this
service ever becomes a reality, I am likely to be involved in making it
happen.

Jordan Sparks

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=31606