X-Message-Number: 5072
From:  (Brian Wowk)
Newsgroups: sci.cryonics
Subject: Re: cryonics vs. cryogenics?
Date: 29 Oct 95 15:58:14 GMT
Message-ID: <>
References: <46uelp$>


In <46uelp$>  (John A Holbrook) 
writes:

>OKay, I hope I don't get completely flamed for this one, but I'm seeking 
>some info... although I'm well aware that cronicists and cryogenisists 
>are not the best of friends, I'd really like to get in touch with a few 
>of each through this newsgroup if that's possible.  I'm working on a 
>presentation for Biology class on cryogenics, but I'd like to talk a bit 
>about Cryonics too.  I'd especially like to get in touch with anyone who is

	Cryogenics is a very general term that refers to the production
and study of phenomena at ultra-low temperatures.  It is really a branch
of engineering physics, and would not be a topic well-suited for
presentation to a biology class.  Perhaps what you really mean is
*cryobiology*, which is the study of how living things are affected
by temperatures below freezing.  This too is a broad field that covers
everything from how insects survive winter to technologies for freezing
blood and tissues for medical use.

	Cryonics is a small, controversial branch of cryobiology that
specifically seeks to cryopreserve terminally-ill patients for future
treatment and revival.  It is controversial because the procedure is
currently irreversible, and can only work if sophisticated cell repair
technologies capable of reversing freezing injury are developed in
the future.

	For further information, consult the cryonics FAQ on the World
Wide Web, or email me privately.  Good luck on your project.

Brian Wowk
President,
CryoCare Foundation 


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