X-Message-Number: 6415
From: Brian Wowk <>
Date: Sat, 29 Jun 1996 01:05:39 -0500
Subject: Vitrification Progress

	Correcting an incorrect statement in Life Extension
Magazine, Thomas Donaldson clarifies that Greg Fahy cannot
yet reversibly vitrify kidneys.  But this does not tell
the whole story, especially from a cryonics perspective.

	I too have recently spoke to Greg Fahy.  The fact
is that Dr. Fahy can now reversibly cryopreserve kidneys with
about a 50% success rate from high sub-zero temperatures
(in one case as low as -45'C).  The chief obstacle to
going to lower temperatures was the need for an rf heating
system to rapidly rewarm from -130'C without devitrification.
This appartus is finally on-line (after years of FDA red 
tape) and we should know by the end of this year what
happens to vitrified kidneys rewarmed from -130'C.

	The important point for cryonicists is this:
Greg's vitrification protocol has (50% of the time)
been shown to provide essentially perfect ultrasturctural
preservation of kidney's at high sub-zero temperatures.
Moreover, because these kidney's are vitrified (not frozen)
*no additional damage is expected to occur* all the way
down to -130'C.  In short, for the first time ever, a
nascent technology exists for preserving a large complex 
organ with excellent integrity at temperatures compatible 
with long-term storage.  If Dr. Fahy's work-- EVEN AS IT
EXISTS NOW --could be adapted to brains, it would be a
quantum leap forward in cryonics technology.

	I think there is a good chance this kidney work
may be wrapped in as little as two years.  What then?
We in the cryonics community must start gathering our 
resources and resolve NOW to persuade scientists such as 
Dr. Fahy that their next target should be THE BRAIN.  
If not, competing organ interests will quickly
absorb the attention of these scientists, monopolizing 
their talent for years to come.  This cannot be allowed
to happen!

***************************************************************************
Brian Wowk          CryoCare Foundation               1-800-TOP-CARE
President           Human Cryopreservation Services   
   http://www.cryocare.org/cryocare/

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