X-Message-Number: 6126
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 1996 11:10:44 -0500
From: Ralph Dratman <>
Subject: Re: preservation in amber

Chris Benatar () wrote:

>: The sample contained exquisitely preserved cells, many with even the
>: mitochondria intact. The tissues were dehydrated, yet they had ***not
>: shrunk***, as one would expect with the water gone. The process by
>: which resin "fixes" tissue, so that it retains its original size, is still a
>: mystery.
>
>: Perhaps if we could isolate the process or chemical involved in this we
>: could have dehydration as a serious option. The only question then
>: would be to do with toxicity.
>
>: Any comments??

David L Evens () wrote:

>The biggest problem I see is reversibility, as (at least partially) the
>problem with all chemical types of preservation.  It's quite obvious how
>to reverse freezing, but how do we get the resin out and the water back
>in in such a way as to not destroy the tissue?

If people can persuade themselves that freezing damage can be reversed in
the future, is it any less plausible that resin could be removed?

Personally, I find resin removal and rehydration at least as plausible, in
the absence of specific evidence of chemical damage. Has anyone tried
getting single cells out of amber (or similar material) and functioning
again?

There is also a very big question about getting the amber distributed all
through the tissues of a large organism. It would have to be done in
conjunction with cold, of course, but at temperatures above freezing.

Ralph Dratman



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