X-Message-Number: 806
Date: Tue, 5 May 92 14:33:34 +0200
From:  (David Stodolsky)
Subject: CRYONICS: Immortalizing cells

Lynn Mains (Sp?), Sussex Univ., was interviewed on the BBC Discovery program
broadcast May 5, 1992. She described how parts of monkey virus DNA could be
injected into cells to immortalize them. This is necessary because normally
cells in culture do not live long enough for realistic tests of experimental
substances (drugs, potential carcinogens, etc.). This research program will in
the longer term attempt to culture not only cells, but complete tissues, and
eventually organs, since these allow more realistic substance testing.

The animal rights movement is quite strong and violent in the UK, so
alternatives to animal testing are seen as highly desirable.

David S. Stodolsky                Messages: + 45 46 75 77 11 x 24 41
Department of Computer Science                 Tel: + 45 31 95 92 82
Bldg. 20.1, Roskilde University Center        Internet: 
Post Box 260, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark        Fax: + 45 46 75 42 01

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