X-Message-Number: 15754 From: "Jeff Grimes" <> Subject: The Lost Text Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 06:05:04 +0000 Here's the text that was formerly on the Cryonics Institute web site, which I think was written by Robert Ettinger: "Also, and more importantly, the cryoprotectants used in vitrification are toxic. Thus, vitrification kills cells: it poisons and injures them to the point of actually disintegrating cell membranes in some cases. Indeed, the damage done by vitrification has been so immense and so much worse than conventional suspension treatments that, on balance, every last cryonics organization has throughout history opted for the less destructive option of conventional glycerol suspension and cooling and liquid nitrogen storage." Since Mr. Ettinger identified Alcor as the only organization using the new vitrification method, he was basically saying that his competitors are using dangerous destructive techniques that "kill cells". I cannot find this text on the site any more (I downloaded my copy of it several weeks ago). Since it was removed from the site I assume Mr. Ettinger was forced to realize that his accusation was incorrect. In addition, Mr. Ettinger had to revise his entire understanding of how his competitors freeze people, after Hugh Hixon's two posts here. Therefore it was reasonable for me to say in a previous post that some of the Ettinger statements were reckless and would have been grounds for a law suit if cryonics was run on the same basis as "real medicine." You simply can't accuse your competitors of using destructive techniques on human beings, without even checking the facts properly. Jeff Grimes. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=15754