X-Message-Number: 29813
From: "Chris Manning" <>
References: <>
Subject: Re: suspension limit
Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2007 13:24:07 +1000

I read somewhere (I don't remember where) that there is an in-principle 
limit of 30,000 years, due to quantum tunnelling effects, on how long 
someone could remain in cryonic suspension and be successfully revived.

I think I mentioned this in an earlier post but I can't remember now what 
comments it elicited.

I am not a scientist and I have no idea why quantum effects might be 
relevant to the reversibility of cryonic suspension. Perhaps this is 
something that David Stodolsky could comment on.

My guess for what it's worth is that if cryonics fails, it won't be for 
medical or scientific reasons, but social or political ones. The relevant 
organisations will have to operate continuously, and maintain their patients 
continuously at liquid nitrogen temperature, for decades or centuries. Is 
that realistically achievable?

Also, I think we should be prepared for the possibility of opposition or 
worse from religious fundamentalists who would see cryonics as being in 
defiance of the will of God. I am a little surprised that this has not 
already happened.

> I would have thought that this "limit" could be  regarded as indefinite as
> far as cryonics is concerned.

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