X-Message-Number: 4384
Date: Thu, 11 May 1995 12:41:26 +1000
From:  (Kitty te Riele)
Subject: Harold Hillman

The Australian university newspaper "Campus Review" had an article in their
May 11-17 issue about "controversial British scientist" Harold Hillman. A
few quotes:

He asserts that "structures seen in cells under the electron microscope are
little more than artefacts.
        On the grounds of solid geometry and intracellular movements
visible in living cells, Hillman has concluded that structures such as
endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, lysosomes, mitochondrial cristae,
nuclear pores and the entire cytoskeleton, do not exist in living cells,
but are merely the artefacts of common preparation techniques.
        Instead, he claims that up to 90 per cent of the brain is made up
of a fine, granular material that is virtually liquid, which dominates the
brain's   [pathology, physiology & biochemistry] and allows cells to move
around quickly".

He also beliefs that the brain only has two cell types instead of four.

".. when you examine tissue under this [electron] microscope using certain
techniques, the cells shrink horribly and don't look anything like they
really are".

Lacking the relevant background, I cannot evaluate his claims. One opponent
is quoted as dismissing Hillman's views because "many alternative methods
for exmaning cells using the electron microscope exist".

Has anyone heard of Hillman? Could there be something to his views? What
are the implications for cryonics?

Kitty te Riele


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