X-Message-Number: 486
From: Brown/Fahy
Subject: Re: Funding Cryonics Research 
Date: 2 Oct 1991

Subject: Re: Funding Cryonics Research

Greg Fahy relayed to me a few comments about Thomas Donaldson's messages
on funding cryonics research.  Of course, any typos, etc. are mine.
                              Kevin Q. Brown
                              UUCP        ...att!whscad1!kqb
                              INTERNET    
                              COMPUSERVE  >INTERNET:
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I feel I should correct or clarify or expand upon a few points Thomas made,
though these points don't matter much vis a vis the main points Thomas is
trying to communicate.

1. I think Thomas' shock at the stark images I projected may have caused him
to exaggerate the damage even beyond what it really is.  It may be an
exaggeration to say that ice causes "an almost universal cutoff of connections
between individual neurons."  It is certainly not true that "the effect of ice
crystallization is to tear or cut most or even all of the nerve connections."
However, the results do support the idea that connectivity is only preserved
within localized areas, with more distant areas being cut off from each other.
It may also be significant that my freezing techniques probably provided MORE
protection than currently used methods.

2. With respect to my work on vitrification, the following corrections apply.
   a) The vitrification solution is not glycerol and propylene glycol, but
      DMSO, formamide, and propylene glycol.
   b) The initial experiments got 33% of the kidneys to support life.  Later
      experiments have allowed 100% of the kidneys perfused with vitrifiable
      solutions to support life.  These kidneys resume and maintain 100% of
      normal function indefinitely and show completely normal micro- and
      macroscopic structure when examined 2-3 months after transplantation.

3. With respect to funding research at the Red Cross:
   a) The estimate of $15,000 was Mike Darwin's, not mine.  I have not had a
      chance to carefully estimate the cost of the research.  This depends a
      lot on the politics of doing the research, and the political situation
      is not yet fully clarified.  Potential contributors should consult
      Alcor to determine the final outcome of the political maneuverings.
   b) I may or may not be able to work out a technique for vitrifying the
      brain, but I can certainly reduce ice growth enough to preclude
      structural damage, which would be good enough.
   c) I can't promise to do any viability studies, only structural studies
      for the time being.
   d) Tom's figure of $2,000 being raised pertains only to the $100/plate
      revenues.  Three specific individuals in attendance contributed way
      over and beyond this per plate charge.  Most of the money raised was
      designated for research on fracture prevention at Alcor.  I think a
      total of 20 people attended the dinner.
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