X-Message-Number: 15302
From: 
Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2001 12:13:49 EST
Subject: addendum

Further to my earlier post today:

I had referred to reports by INC et al, repeated in Fred Chamberlain's 
article "Vitrification Arrives!" that in a test of rat hippocampal slices 
(not samples from whole brains and with a LESS concentrated solution than 
Alcor is using), there was "53% viability" by the potassium/sodium ratio 
criterion. 

The reports did not say "53% of normal function," but 53% VIABILITY, which 
ordinarily means 53% ALIVE or capable of life. If they meant 53% of normal 
function, they should have said so, including exactly what that means, since 
it could have several interpretations.

I assume that, in conducting the tests, the sample is perfused, then 
vitrified, then rewarmed, then washed free of CPA, then revived by being 
placed in nutrient/oxidant solution, and then tested for the potassium/sodium 
ratio. If that is the case, then the same result would be obtained whether 
half the cells were dead and the rest normal, or if all of the cells were at 
about half normal function (by that single chemical criterion). As I said, 
the details have not been reported, as far as I know. If Platt, or someone he 
knows, can clarify this, fine. I always respect facts, pleasant or not.

And again, none of this changes the bottom line in any respect. And I am 
still waiting for Platt's response to Wakfer.

Robert Ettinger
Cryonics Institute
Immortalist Society
http://www.cryonics.org

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