X-Message-Number: 1222
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 92 00:31:33 CDT
From: Brian Wowk <>
Subject: CRYONICS: Nuts & Bolts

J. Mason:
 
> What are the promising agents to prevent the growth of large ice
> crystals ? If they seem insufficient, what about going to levels
> that would be fatal if a fully alive person ingested them - but 
> would be protective to a frozen person ? Liquid nitrogen storage
> is too expensive ... What could we do with storage at higher, say
> -20 degrees, temps or even storage at just above the freezing point ?
 
        The cryoprotective agent currently used in cryonics practice is 
4 to 6 molar glycerol.  The patient's entire blood supply is replaced 
with this solution before deep cooling, which would certainly be fatal 
to a "fully alive" person.
 
        Long term storage of biological tissue requires temperatures 
below -130'C.  Above this temperature traces of unfrozen liquid water 
persist in cell interiors, and deleterious chemical reactions can still 
proceed (albeit very slowly).
 
        If you want to get up to speed on these issues, request an 
information package from the Alcor Life Extension Foundation at 1-800-
367-2228 or    
 
                                                --- Brian Wowk     

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=1222