X-Message-Number: 8129
From: 
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 97 22:29:07 +1000
Subject: CRYONICS The limits of recover

In message #8108, Keith Lynch <> writes:

>In #8098 yvan Bozzonetti <> wrote:
>> ... Now, if we could reverse time, at least in a localized domain,
>> we could send the matter on its time reversal course and get back
>> the full ordered system: a living corpse. ...
>
>  ..[snipped]..
>Forget it.  If the information to reconstruct a patient isn't *in*
>the patient, that patient isn't coming back.  Not unless God or
>Frank Tipler intervenes, anyway.

I disagree.  And neither time machines nor time reversal are required.

Imagine a molecule of iron oxide (rust).  In its context, (on your
car), it can be decided with 99% certainty, that this molecule
was formerly an iron molecule in your car, so lets remove the
oxygen from it and "reconstruct" your car to its previous
(as new) condition.  All that is required is a nanotech robot
equipped with sensors to identify the defective situation and
actuators to correct that particular defect.

Greatly extending this analogy, one can imagine nanotech robots
entering and correcting defective cells in the human body, [or
more easily - destroying the cell and triggering an adjacent 
cell to reproduce to take over the functionality of the cell
just destroyed].  In this way, cures could be found for just
about anything, including ageing, and revival after death.

Sure nanotechnology is still in its infancy, but progress
is being made.  Nature already has nanotech robots in
the guise of bacteria and viruses.  Advancement in
molecular biology and genetic engineering, plus greater
understanding of protein structures & folding, could
give us the ability to commandeer Natures robots to
achieve specific medical goals.  Most importantly
for us on this list, that means cellular repairs after 
cryonic re-animation.

So the limits of recovery are, imho, the knowledge of what 
constitutes dysfunctional conditions, and our ability to 
then rectify those conditions.  Death is just a complex 
of multiple dysfunctional conditions.

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