X-Message-Number: 3298
From:   (Brian Wowk)
Newsgroups: sci.cryonics
Subject: Re: Is revival EVER possible?
Date: 18 Oct 1994 19:00:08 GMT
Message-ID: <3815vo$>
References: <37ubig$>


In <37ubig$>  (Hocus Pocus) 
writes:

>	Everyone keeps saying that the brain is damaged to a point where 
>we cannot repair it. One said that we need a century's worth of 
>scientific advancement to repair the brain. My question is:
>   Will it ever be possible to repair such a mutilated brain. Research 
>points to damage comparable to poking the brain with needles thousands of 
>times. I am all for cryonic suspension, I am just trying to understand 
>others views on it. Are you doing this for life prolongment or for 
>scientific purposes. 
>	What is the purpose in being brought back in a hundred years, and 
>not actually being you. It is the same as being dead anyhow. Also, the 
>first people who are successfully revived may go through a torturous life 
>of scientific experimentation and 24 hour observation. Don't forget the 
>gliches that will be involved as well. 
>	How can you plan ahead for this? How do you get around this?

	You should read some of the books by Eric Drexler, such as Engines
of Creation, for a cogent explanation of the kind of technology that
will make revival of cryonics patients possible.  The practice of
cryonics today is predicated upon the anticipated future ability to
repair cells at a very fine scale-- even one molecule at a time.  The
technology of manufacturing and repair at the molecular level is called
"nanotechnology."  Technological process is clearly heading in this
direction, and the ability to control matter on such a fine scale will
transform medicine in the 21st century in ways we can barely imagine
today.  One of the things it will make possible is the healing of 
extensive microscopic trauma of the kind we see in cryonics.

	One aspect of cryonics that I am frequently at pains to point
out is that it is a "last-in-first-out" procedure.  As cryonics technology
advances, less advanced technology will be required for revival, so
people frozen later will be revived sooner.  The people frozen today
will be among the very last to be revived.  They will have the benefit
of many decades of experience in cryonics revivals.

	I think most cryonicists would agree that we want to come as
ourselves, not a mere clone with no prior memories.  That is why we
are working hard to develop less injurious preservation procedures.
Our first and foremost interest is saving the lives of ourselves and
our families.  Why don't you join us?  The 22nd century should be a
very interesting place.

					--- Brian Wowk

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