X-Message-Number: 2456
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 13:29:01 MST
From: "Richard Schroeppel" <>
Subject: CRYONICS Noggin; Arizona DHS Follies

KQB suggested that the discovery of the noggin protein
would be helpful in growing headless clones for reconnection
to neuropatients.

This may indeed turn out to be useful, but remember that the
pituitary is responsible for growth hormone.  GH isn't required
for fetal development, but seems likely to be needed for an
adult body.  [W.F.Ganong, Review of Medical Physiology, p302 &
nearby pages.]  This means we will have to solve the technical
problem of supplying the growing body with the correct regimen
of hormones.

----------------------
Re: Steve Bridge's update on Alcor's discussions with the AZ
regulator.

It seems to me the guy has a (partial) point.  There's no
particular reason to believe that Ebola virus is inactivated
by LN2.  So a patient who thawed accidentally would be a real
biohazard, not just a mess.  In addition, we'd want to be
certain that the normal process of topping up the LN2 in a
dewar didn't permit escape of virus, perhaps carried on small
crystals of frost.  And since the LN2 boiloff must be allowed
to vent, a similar concern arises.  (I assume that the normal
boiloff is really just evaporation, with no disturbance or
stirring of the LN2; but that bubbling etc. occur during
movement of the dewar, tipping, and topping off.)  We might
meet these concerns by (double?) sealing the patient in a
plastic bag, and keeping the bag in the dewar.  The dewar
would have to be labeled appropriately, and perhaps padlocked.
The AZ people might insist on periodic inspections.

Is there any reason to expect a head to be less hazardous?

Most of the other diseases listed are serious-but-usually-
not-fatal, so the requirements might be relaxed somewhat.
If the story in the New Yorker a couple of years ago is
accurate, there won't be much left to freeze anyway from
an Ebola victim.  Anyone actually doing such a suspension
would definitely deserve hazard pay.

I assume that Alcor already has procedures in place for
hazardous biowaste?  Is anything special required for Ebola
materials?  Do you have suitable procedures for sterilizing
dewars for reuse or disposal?  Will they also get prions?

Rich Schroeppel  

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