X-Message-Number: 4217
From:  (David Stodolsky)
Subject: Routine cryonic suspension of blood cells starts in Denmark
Date: Sun, 16 Apr 95 15:41:43 +0200 (CET DST)

A trial at a major hospital in Denmark has been started, in which blood 
from the placenta is extracted with all births. It is cryonically suspended
under the assumption that the blood cells may be useful for future
medical procedures. Blood cell cancers seem to be the intended target
of the investigation. Of course, many other types of new medical procedures,
especially those of interested to immortalists, could also benefit
from this cell preservation.

The project was probably approved because it is of minimal expense,
with the potential for saving a lot of money and suffering in the
future. The Danish state, actually the county governments, operates most
hospitals in the country. Private hospitals and clinics are permitted,
but they have a hard time surviving, since the public system is free
and of a good standard. Long waiting lists have been the only incentive
for people to seek alternatives.

This is probably a good example of the limits of the individualistic approach
to medicine so dominant in the USA. It would be difficult for someone
to request this form of precaution be taken on their behalf :-). Another
example is the possible use of non-pathogenic HIV to combat
the AIDS epidemic. This would only be effective in about 2/3rds of 
cases in preventing infection, so as a treatment for the individual
it is of little consequence. On a population wide basis, however,
it would blunt the spread of AIDS, making the expansion of the epidemic
unlikely. (Non-pathogenic HIV is not a proven treatment.)


David S. Stodolsky, PhD,  Euromath Center,  University of Copenhagen
Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. 
 Tel.: +45 38 33 03 30. Fax: +45 38 33 88 80. (C)


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