X-Message-Number: 9429 Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1998 10:30:34 -0400 From: Saul Kent <> Subject: 21CM I'm happy to see Bob Ettinger's positive response (#9426) to my message (#9420) about 21st Century Medicine. Here are my comments on his message. Bob said that it is "welcome" that 21CM is going to "expand its program" to include "suspended animation research." Actually, suspended animation research has always been the heart of the 21CM program. We have already conducted some brain cryopreservation research, and our other research projects: hypothermia, resuscitation, and the cryopreservation of organs other than the brain are all relevant to suspended animation. Bob suggests that BioPreservation and 21CM will be well equipped to handle human cases, and that it is unlikely that a new company (BioTransport) will be able to procure the capital and equipment needed to do the job. Bob goes on to suggest that BP and 21CM "could provide cryonics emergency services as a sideline, not relying on that for its main revenues." The problem with that scenario is that BP and 21CM have come to the conclusion that being responsible for human cases interferes too much with the research effort. We find that it is difficult or impossible to do two things well with limited personnel. One of the main reasons for the formation of BioTransport is the desire of 21CM to focus as much of its attention as possible on research. That doesn't mean that BP and 21CM will not be involved in human cases. On the contrary, 21CM will be conducting research to develop human vitrification, and BP and 21CM will be involved in human cases in a support capacity....as much as time allows without seriously interfering with the research. Moreover, 21CM and BP expect to cooperate closely with BioTransport in sharing equipment and facilities as well as personnel in performing human cases. It's understandable that Bob questions whether it will be possible to raise enough money for BioTransport from the cryonics community. However, reality dictates that cryonicists are going to have to make some hard choices in the next few years about *both* research and cryonics services. I believe we are now in a position to develop truly advanced, scientifically proven, cryonics methods, and to offer these advances to the cryonics community. However, it will be costly to provide both, and those in the cryonics community who can afford it are going to have to decide if they want to see both research and advanced services funded. ---Saul Kent CEO, 21CM Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=9429