X-Message-Number: 6715
From: Brian Wowk <>
Date: Thu, 8 Aug 1996 13:58:17 -0500
Subject: Reply to Thomas Donaldson

Thomas Donaldson writes on CryoNet:

>1. About the level at which cryonics societies support research: Gee, research
>   is EXPENSIVE. And by growing, Alcor becomes more able to support research.
>   I really don't think this situation merits the words "indefensible" or
>   "embarassing"... either for Alcor or any other society. Moreover, 5% is
>   not ZERO.

>   One major issue in supporting research, in fact, is that each individual
>   cryonic society contains only a subset of the resources available to the
>   community of cryonicists. Wasn't that one of the major issues that started
>   Paul off on Prometheus? Or do you believe that the necessary money can
>   be raised entirely by one society?

	Alcor was not mentioned anywhere in the cited message.
No cryonics organization was.  My complaint is not that cryonics organizations
don't spend enough on research.  My complaint is that the *cryonics community*
(all those people interested in cryonics) don't spend enough on research.


>2. I too would very much like to see all the societies involved, at least ACS,
>   Alcor, and Cryocare. Has CRYOCARE taken a position on Prometheus? I don't
>   mean its members, or its Board as individuals, but the society itself.

	CryoCare has pledged $10,000 a year toward the Prometheus Project.
In addition we will be regularly offering magazine space for articles about
the project, promoting Project meetings, and distributing Project literature
at conferences.    


>3. It seems clear to me once more that one central issue anyone must grapple
>   with in choosing to pledge or not to pledge money to Prometheus is simply
>   that of the state of research in vitrification and its merits compared
>   to other possibilities.

	While vitrification has been cited as the most exciting possibility,
it should not be relentlessly pursued to the exclusion of all else.
I will withdraw my own pledge and public support if this is the case!
The Project, as I see it, is to pursue WHATEVER TECHNOLOGIES ARE
NECESSARY to achieve the goal of reversible brain cryopreservation.
If vitrification becomes bogged down, then ice formation should be
permitted (we already know the brain can survive modest amounts of ice).
The design space is clearly very large.  The most important thing is to
develop a resolve to solve the problem.

***************************************************************************
Brian Wowk          CryoCare Foundation               1-800-TOP-CARE
President           Human Cryopreservation Services   
   http://www.cryocare.org/cryocare/

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=6715