X-Message-Number: 1636
Date: 18 Jan 93 05:29:20 EST
From: Paul Wakfer <>
Subject: CRYONICS Re: Negative Remarks on New Cryonics Companies

From: Nike Darwin
To: Keith Henson and All
Date: 17 January, 1992
Re: Negative remarks on new companies

     Keith has asked to me explain my comments to the effect that he has 
exhibited a negative attitude towards new companies being created to do 
cryonics research and that this is counterproductive.  Leaving aside 
Keith's often despairing comments about the utility of cryonics research 
in general, I have the following comments:

     I refer here to message 1518 which is a long posting about the 
dangers of Saul Kent (among other things) wherein Keith urges 
"hypercaution" in supporting any companies created to do cryonics 
research.  In and of itself this remark is innocuous.  Of course, caution 
should be used.  Caution should be used when crossing the street, plugging 
in an appliance, driving a car...  However, when, in the midst of a 
diatribe about terrible road conditions someone pauses and says "you'd 
better drive hypercautiously" the intent is clearly not just a general 
piece of thowaway advice to be a prudent person.  And since Saul is on 
the Board of one of those companies, i.e., Cryovita...

     One of the foremost organ cryopreservationists in the world has just 
made a serious commitment of time and energy to carry out brain 
cryopreservation research.  Close to 100K has been spent to purchase new 
equipment and supplies and provide start-up facilities for this effort 
(with another 50K earmarked for computer controlled cryoprotectant 
introduction equipment) (this, in addition to the many thousands of 
dollars worth of equipment already on hand).  A 3,000 square foot cryonics 
research lab has been created with state-of-the-art (i.e., University 
level or beyond) capability to do this research.  Several people are 
working full time on this project and building skills and generating data 
that will likely be critically important in improving every aspect of 
suspension technology.  And Keith is saying, in effect, "better be careful 
of these guys."

     In the past Keith has also made dire predictions of doom for 
Cryovita, the very company with which this cryobiologist has committed 
himself to work.  I submit that this is not the kind of thing that will 
encourage support for this venture or further its success either within 
the cryonics community or outside of it.

     I stand by my assessment of Keith's remarks.

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