X-Message-Number: 22538
From: 
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 21:34:48 EDT
Subject: Re: Shermer article response

In a message dated 9/16/2003 5:01:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
 writes:
Alan Mole


Mushy Thinking 

In Skeptic, Michael Shermer derides cryonics as a means to immortality, 
saying "And when your tissue is thawed, your cells will be mush."  He's too 
skeptical by half.  For years it has been common practice to freeze embryos 
and 
tissues up to the size of an aorta -- and thaw them successfully, not turning 
them 
to mush but returning them to life.  Granted, present techniques result in 
some freezing damage and some dead cells, but  certain tissues can survive 
that.  
And recent advances in vitrification solutions hold promise to eliminate the 
freezing damage.  So cryonics already works for some tissues and needs only 
reasonable advances to freeze and revive whole human beings.  Or, if you are 
frozen now, it is plausible that future technology may be able to repair any 
damage that occurs.  

What does the Skeptic think of all the healthy children running around who 
started life as embryos in liquid nitrogen? Are they a mushy hoax? 

I think there are good hopes for life extension, and Mr. Shermer is like a 
man denying the possibility of heavier than air flight -- just as the Wrights 
are taking off.  

Alan Mole
Boulder Colorado


(Rudi Hoffman Comment)

Great letter, Alan!  

I hope you have better luck getting your letter published than my response to 
Shermer's earlier cryonics screed some months ago in SA.  

I like and respect Shermer, but he has gotten more cynical than scientific 
and skeptical.  Unfortunately, the quality of his contributions seems to have 
diminished over time.  

We need genuine scientific skepticism, not facile and sophmoric cuteness and 
dismissal.  I think your letter sums up how realistic and scientific the 

concept and practice of cryonics is now...and how reasonable an option it is for
rational, skeptical, scientifically oriented people.  Hope to read your letter 
in next months issue!

Rudi


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