X-Message-Number: 6590 Date: Tue, 23 Jul 96 12:32:26 From: Mike Perry <> Subject: re Prometheus Paul Wakfer (#6589) writes, regarding my recent pledge of $1,000 per year to the Prometheus Project: >Mike, I figured that you would come through if you possibly could, but >I really don't know how you're going to manage it with what you make. Makes it sound as if I deserve some sort of Widow's Mite Award ;-). Actually, the pledge amount is order of 10% (a tithe) of my present income, a relatively modest sacrifice. I do hope this project gets off the ground and, of course, achieves something that can benefit us all. Some concerns have been raised that funnelling money into Prometheus may detract from other worthwhile research in cryonics. But I expect an opposite effect. There are people in cryonics now who could afford to fund the Prometheus Project and have plenty left over for other things--including other cryonics research. When (if) the purse strings are loosened, I expect more funding to become available for other projects too. As for Brian Wowk's idea of vitrifying the brain in vivo and warming it to demonstrate full recovery of function, well it sounds farfetched to me too (along with Keith Lynch) but I don't think the whole project will hinge on this one accomplishment. The scientific plan that gets adopted should provide a reasonably broad-based approach. Certainly there are some things we'd like to achieve that, however attractive, may prove too hard--we might give these a try but we don't want to go overboard. With reasonable management we won't be in a position of trying to put all our eggs in a few, inaccessible baskets. We can then expect, as a minimum, knowledge leading to significant improvements in cryonic suspension protocols, greater public awareness and acceptance of cryonics, and greater all-around interest in cryonics-related research. These I think would follow even if the primary goal of demonstrated, reversible brain cryopreservation is not achieved--and we need to face this possibility along with the more optimistic ones. Also, I would think that even if the primary goal proves elusive we will still make significant progress in its direction--which will translate to increased interest and desire to fund more research. So overall I'm optimistic about Prometheus. The idea that no money will change hands until both the business and scientific plans are approved by the pledger is a good one, and lends confidence that the whole effort, if it goes forward, will not be wasted. Mike Perry http://www.alcor.org Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=6590