Mark Your Calendars Today! BioStasis 2000 June of the Year 2000 Asilomar Conference Center Northern California
ast quarter’s “The Failure Initial List Lof Cryonics,” by Saul Kent, drew a significant of Speakers: amount of mail, despite the fact that the entire text of this ar- ticle had previously appeared on the CryoNet online mailing Eric Drexler, list, as well as in The Ph.D. Immortalist. Many letters seemed to agree that more cry- onics research is necessary, Ralph Merkle, though just as many expressed Ph.D. optimism about the chances of current cryonics techniques working. In one way or an- Robert Newport, other, Mr. Kent’s piece in- M.D. spired three of our feature ar- ticles this time: “The Growth of Cryonics,” by Ralph Merkle, “Bioimpedance and Watch the Alcor Phoenix as Cryonics,” by Fred Chamber- details unfold! lain, and “No One Thinks It Artwork by Tim Hubley Will Work,” by Derek Strong. Clearly, controversy helps to focus our thinking. As you read this issue, ask yourself what specific questions in cry- onics, life extension, or nanotechnology bother you the most. Write to us and get these concerns into the open. Per- haps your thoughts will form the basis of yet another quarter’s issue of Cryonics.
2 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 Letters to the Editor
The Failure of Cryonics progress, let me say that this isn’t be- cause of improvements in Alcor’s tech- The editor comments: Dear Cryonics: niques. Not long after I joined Alcor, the progress screeched to a halt, for I hope you’re right about that growth Saul Kent is certainly correct that it’s in reasons beyond our control, and only spurt and subsequent pay increase for the cryonics movement’s interest to recently resumed. You can lay credit cryonicists, Brett. I could certainly use have young people sign up. After all, for that perception of value on one man: a raise about now.
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 3 by the fact that Alcor (as Saul points good thing, that nanotechnology is fea- problem,” a level of concern which is out) was growing at a rate of about 30% sible, etc. See, for example, Cryonics, unjustified given the available evidence. per year for many years. He refers to July/August 1993, pages 22-24 for criti- Saul said “Until we have solid evi- this period as the “golden age of cryon- cal comments by David Pegg). dence that we can preserve the brain ics” and incorrectly attributes this phrase There has been a recent shift: hav- well enough to retain enough informa- to me. Anyone acquainted with the small ing learned there is a rhetorical advan- tion to maintain our identities, it is in- size and limited resources in cryonics tage in claiming that current methods appropriate, I believe, for us to criticize would have to agree that we have never cause information loss, critics will cryobiologists over their opinion that seen anything like a “golden age.” The sometimes make this claim. The valid- future repair of today’s frozen patients inaccurate phrase and incorrect attribu- ity of this criticism is undercut by their will be impossible.” The anonymous tion distract from the basic reality: Alcor clear lack of understanding of “infor- cryobiologist quoted above expressed was growing. Saul also points to the mation loss.” One critical cryobiologist his critical opinion. I think criticism of lack of growth and aging membership (who will remain nameless) said “When his statements is entirely appropriate, among the cryonics organizations with a protein unfolds or when a bit of DNA and that we should in general criticize which he is affiliated. Other explana- is oxidized or when even a carbohy- those who use faulty logic. This is par- tions for their lack of growth seem more drate is broken up, INFORMATION is ticularly true when we are discussing plausible, including their policy of not lost and there is no blue=print [sic] avail- matters of life and death, since the erro- recruiting people. able to regain the information like there neous conclusion that a person is al- Saul said (cryonet message #9684) is for fixing a car. The information lost ready dead can kill them. The burden of “... I believe that cryonics patients fro- cannot NOT [sic] be replaced by a ‘fix’ proof falls heavily on those who argue zen today (under reasonably good con- of the structure alone.” that cryonics does not work. ditions) have a much better chance of Clearly, damage to DNA can (and While Saul (and others) repeatedly revival than of winning the lottery.” in fact is) repaired. Future technology talk about “...massive damage...” they Considering Saul’s view that there is should be able to replace missing DNA provide no argument that this “dam- “...massive damage caused by the primi- by using redundant information from age” is likely to cause information theo- tive freezing methods we employ...,” other cells. Proteins that unfold do not retic death and hence no reason to be- that he is “desperate” and that “winning cause information loss, because each lieve their claims that current methods the lottery” is usually viewed as an ex- protein has one (or at most a few) func- are unlikely to work. My own conclu- tremely unlikely event, it is fair to con- tional configurations which they adopt sions (see http://www.merkle.com/ clude that Saul thinks present methods spontaneously under appropriate con- cryo/techFeas.html and http:// are unlikely to work. ditions. The digestion of carbohydrates www.merkle.com/cryo/ However, the claim that “... nobody (e.g., sugars) does not seem to erase our cryptoCryo.html) are that information thinks it will work!” is obviously false. memories of who we are. theoretic survival is likely when cur- In conversations with a wide range of This kind of statement clearly shows rent methods are used under favorable people I’ve found the “it doesn’t work” a major conceptual breakdown. The fact conditions. Further serious analysis of argument is advanced no more fre- that computer scientists and program- this issue is worthwhile. quently than any of the other (often mers are more likely to become Alcor Finally, we have the question of the charmingly absurd) arguments against members is in part because they better outcome of the proposed strategy, that cryonics. While it is certainly one of understand the basic information theo- “...we should devote most of our atten- the arguments that must be countered, retic issues, and can dismiss as errone- tion, time and money to suspended ani- if this was the single argument that de- ous the kind of “criticism” given above. mation research.” cisively influenced people’s behavior Failure to understand such basic issues Very broadly speaking, there are cryonics would now be a vast move- is not always confined to critics. For two major possible outcomes: success ment numbering in the millions. My example, the “cracking problem” has or failure. The successful development own experience with cryobiologists caused much concern. At low tempera- and demonstration of suspended ani- critical of cryonics is that they usually tures, frozen tissue (and in particular mation would have a major favorable concede that preserving memories and frozen neural tissue) will crack. There impact on cryonics (though exactly how related information in an information is no reason to believe that this “dam- favorable is still unclear). Unfortunately, theoretic sense is not only plausible but age” causes information theoretic death there is a significant risk of failure. The even likely. They then attack other as- or even any significant information loss. human body is composed of many dif- sumptions (e.g., that people in the fu- Despite this, some people within the ferent tissue types, each with its own ture will revive people in suspension, cryonics movement have expressed the particular responses to different that living a long and healthy life is a deepest concerns about the “cracking cryoprotectants, different cooling rates,
4 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 and other variables. Timely success is decades of promotion and publicity, is to take seriously. But I favor research uncertain and, in my opinion, unlikely. that so few people think it will work as and recruitment, i.e. we should be get- Betting heavily on a single risky strat- intended, i.e. enable people frozen to- ting signups, the more the better, along egy is unwise. day to eventually be reanimated in a with the support needed for the advance- Failure can be relative, however. It state of good health. It is worth noting ment and verification of our suspension might be possible to cool an animal that he does not focus on whether cry- procedures. brain to some suitably low temperature onics is likely to work, but on the per- I don’t share the pessimism some (presumably near the glass transition ception people have of whether it will in cryonics have voiced about its work- temperature), rewarm it, and demon- work. Some of his points can be chal- ability, though certainly the case for it strate at least temporary restoration of lenged on various grounds, and have is not proved either. It boils down, function by some relatively indirect over the several months since his piece mainly, to whether sufficient identity- methods (e.g., electroencephalograms first appeared, late in April. (As one critical information is preserved in the showing a trained response to some “for instance,” membership statistics frozen brain tissue of a cryonics patient stimulus, such as direct electrical acti- show the movement clearly is not dy- to restore that person, eventually, with vation of appropriate sensory neurons). ing, though growth in cryonics signups memories intact. If memories can be While clearly unacceptable as a method has slowed since the hectic pace of the restored it’s a very good bet that every- for restoring a person to health, this early 1990s. Another “for instance” is thing else can too. Longterm memory would provide strong evidence in sup- that there are people who think cryon- seems to be stored in synaptic connec- port of information theoretic survival. ics has a good chance of working, such tions which are structures in the brain Unfortunately, the impact of such indi- as scientist and science fiction writer of larger than molecular dimensions. rect evidence on the general public is Arthur C. Clarke, yet have not signed The sort of damage we are seeing with likely to be modest. This result would up. And Ralph Merkle denies that he freezing, though extensive, does not sug- be useful in the context of a healthy referred to the ’80s and early ’90s as a gest to me that these relatively large- organization seeking to grow and pros- “golden age” of cryonics, and has other scale structures are being completely per, but does not justify abandoning objections.) Yet the fact remains that obliterated or rendered uninferable. other approaches. there is a pressing need for more re- Thus I think probably nanotechnology The growth of cryonics is a good search in cryonics, and our product of the future will make it possible to goal, but the proposal that we follow a could certainly stand improvement. carry out the necessary repairs and re- single approach to achieve this goal and There are some interesting obstacles I store a frozen human to a living, healthy abandon other approaches is a bad one. see. state. A balanced strategy is more robust and But, though I find ground for opti- One is a simple “catch-22.” A strong more likely to succeed, as discussed in mism, again the case isn’t proved, and belief in the likely success of a research “The Growth of Cryonics” in this issue. effort may be necessary for the support moreover, most people clearly are not ready to accept that signing up for cry- that would engender that very success. Ralph Merkle onics is something they ought to be A second, related problem is a credibil- doing now. Life goes on much as it did ity issue that mirrors the very problem * * * before cryonics existed. Death is seen with cryonics itself: is research going as inevitable. The legal system still uses to “work”? As yet, we really don’t know. To the Editor: flawed criteria for death based on func- A third problem I think comes from the tion, not structure. As a consequence, very radical nature of what we want to On “The Failure of Cryonics” by Saul cryonicists can’t get premortem suspen- accomplish: the elimination of death, Kent. sions when they ought to have them to which will lead to an other-than-human combat brain tumors and the like. Fu- existence—humans after all are not im- The original title of this article, when it mortal! Though this idea may have tre- nerals, burials, cremations and autop- appeared on CryoNet, was “The Fail- sies still happen on schedule. Your rela- mendous appeal to immortalists (as it ure of the Cryonics Movement,” which tives and mine, and almost everybody does to me) I think it is a great turnoff I think is more appropriate, though not else, still die and are not frozen. to many. the major issue here. In any case, Saul None of these problems are reasons Cryonicists are dismissed as cultists and has written a powerful appeal for more kooks, and can only work in secret with not to put serious efforts into research. effort to be spent on research to “im- mainstream research institutions, if that. We need the best techniques possible, prove the product” in cryonics. He con- All this would change if we could dem- and we need to make the strongest case tends that the reason there are so few we can that we have a method of saving onstrate a reversible technique for cryonicists, even after more than three cryopreservation. We would be light lives, one that the world at large ought
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 5 years ahead, even if present-day cryon- ing) and maintain our bodies until “sci- When I’m not publishing technical ma- ics is already workable and we who are ence” as a whole invents the technol- terial, I’ve also made an effort to hu- signed up are already immortal. So I ogy to hopefully revive us. This is sim- manize discussions as much as possible, am and remain a staunch proponent of plistic, I know. Why more people don’t avoiding the dry abstractions of “an- research. But I think too that we must enroll I don’t know. I certainly did my gels and pinheads.” not relax our efforts to win people over share of proselytizing; I used to tell I also wanted to comment about to the movement even now, before the everyone I met about cryonics. My part- “cryonics splitting itself from cryobiol- great breakthroughs we hope are com- ner Peter is a suspension member be- ogy.” While certain old-school ing. cause I insisted he join, not wanting a cryobiologists may still feel that cryon- future without him. ics rebelled from the academic field of Mike Perry I disagree here with Saul in that I cryobiology, I know of few cryonicists think cryonics organizations will never who wished such a divergence. The vast * * * be in a position to conduct the research majority of cryonicists have profound needed to save our lives. To me, this is respect for cryobiologists and great in- Editor: only another “myth of cryonics” chap- terest in the formal work of cryobiol- ter two. What I really understand now ogy. Happily, there are some indica- Thank you for publishing Saul Kent’s is the tragic, suicidal consequences of tions (little more than hearsay and ru- article on why cryonics will fail. The cryonics splitting itself from cryobiol- mors, I admit) that a new generation of controversy and honesty of that article ogy. This, if anything, was our greatest cryobiologists may feel less repulsed has been a long time coming. Too much undoing. by what we’re doing. of what is published by Alcor is boring, Nevertheless, any revival will come esoteric, “how many angels can dance as an offshoot of cryobiology and as * * * on the head of a pin” arguing back and scientific knowledge progresses in this forth by the same member writers. To area there will be an interest in study- Dear Sirs, be honest, most of the time I toss the ing those of us frozen. Further, the best mailings in the trash after a quick glance methods of suspension will likewise Saul Kent’s recent article in your maga- but this article really caught my eye. come as a bonus from cryobiology. If zine does point out a signficant short- I absolutely agree with most of what monies are to be donated anywhere, coming in the cryonics movement: lack he stated in the article. Sadly, it made they need to go to cryobiology research. of expected numerical growth. How- me understand why I’ve become so I think our lives depend upon working ever, progress in many other areas is ambivalent and uninterested in cryon- with them, not against them, and to encouraging. 25 years ago doctors and ics over the ten-plus years I’ve been a certainly not continue separate, inferior hospitals feared liability if they cooper- suspension member. I enrolled in the research. ated in a cryonic suspension. Today the late 80s, ironically as a direct result of I’m sure I’m going to be ripped to greater fear would be the liability from the the negative publicity surrounding shreds by responses to this letter but the failure to cooperate. There are now the alleged “murder” and suspension of these are nonetheless the feelings of an cryonics organizations with attractive, Dora Kent. My first impression incred- aging Alcor suspension member, now permanent facilities. Millions of dol- ibly was an Alcor magazine with the 38. lars have been put into trust funds by front cover showing the personnel be- those already deanimated, and many ing arrested in handcuffs and I thought, Very sincerely, more millions are so designated by those wow, they really must be committed to Scott Toth still alive. The cryonics publications are cryonics since they risked being arrested of much better quality than those of the just to save that woman and here they’re The editor replies: past. honest enough to publish the photo. As to Saul’s present concern with I had to laugh when I real Saul’s Dear Scott, research, we certainly have come a long list of cryonics myths because I grew way in that regard as well. I can re- up on them and heard them all. My I’m gratified that you’re reading our member Dr. Segall seeking another $25 ambivalence stems from the fact that I magazine once again. Since the 2nd to try another hamster experiment in slowly realized that they were just myths Quarter 1997 issue, I’ve diligently tried his garage. Today his low-temperature and in my own eyes came to believe to look for contributors beyond Alcor’s experiments are underwritten by a multi- that Alcor or any other cryonics staff, directors, and regulars (though million dollar corporation. It is perhaps organization’s sole purpose is to sus- these individuals are more than wel- time to reemphasize membership re- pend us (something is better than noth- come to submit articles, as always!). cruitment. I would welcome the com-
6 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 ments of others on how this could best a necessary complement, and another, ogy is arbitrary to begin with, and be achieved (in addition to improving that Tipler is concerned with the extent anyone is free to invent a new theol- the product). to which religions may be technologi- ogy. cally possible. Both of these, certainly, However, I do have a problem Sincerely, are worth considering in our drive to- with the attempt to paper over the H. Jackson Zinn ward immortalization. I do consider difference between the scientific these and related ideas at length in the book, which I hope soon to have ready materialist assumptions behind cry- for review. onics and the “supernatural” assump- TIpler’s Physics tions behind orthodox Christianity. Mike Perry The two worldviews are just not To the Editor: “consilient” in any meaningful sense, Cryonics & Christianity and frankly, theology has nothing David Pascal had a most interesting dis- cussion last issue on Thomas practical to contribute to our quest Re: Can a Christian Be a for radical life extension. Donaldson’s review of Frank Tipler’s Cryonicist?” [Cryonics, 2nd Qtr book, The Physics of Immortality. This 1998 —ed.] is a topic of special interest to me; for Long life, years I’ve been working on a book of Mark Plus my own, Forever for All, that tries to Dear Cryonics: cover some of the same ground as Michel Laprade replies: Tipler, though also with emphasis on Like Michel Laprade, I have been cryonics and other near-term approaches pondering the relationship between I read, with some chagrin, the to immortalization or radically extend- cryonics and orthodox Christianity, above letter regarding the “compat- ing human lifespan. Tipler’s book is only I am struck by the dishonesty ibility” of a Christian being a “striking, significant, and profound,” as of arguing that the two are compat- cryonicist. The author indicated that David says, yet it also has shortcom- ible. Consider the following facts: ings. One is, again, the lack of consid- Christians didn’t invent cryonics, (1) Christians didn’t invent cry- don’t run any cryonics organizations, eration of these near-term possibilities onics. The people who originated, — apparently we have to wait 1019 years aren’t signing up in large numbers developed, and popularized the cry- for the Omega Point to do it all for us, and that those who do are dishonest which is a bit of a wait, and has other onics proposal have openly acknowl- in rationalizing their decisions. It was problems. One is that Tipler’s whole edged the role of scientific material- also kind of hard to miss the thinly Omega Point Theory is rather heavily ist philosophy in their thinking, start- veiled attitude of “and the no good dependent on a collapsing universe ing with Robert Ettinger. Nothing in bums have no business being part of which, as Thomas Donaldson is quick the orthodox Christian worldview our club anyway.” to point out, doesn’t seem to be the kind implies an idea like cryonics. The author correctly stated that of universe we are in. I also find Tipler’s (2) Christians aren’t starting and attempt to conjure a “God” out of rela- “nothing in the orthodox Christian running cryonics organizations now, worldview implies an idea like cry- tivistic, quantum cosmology a bit off- though today’s cryonics leadership putting and ludicrous. (The universal onics.” Of course nothing in any or- comprises individuals from Chris- wave function as the Holy Spirit? — thodox worldview implies an idea tian and Jewish backgrounds who give me a break!) You could just as like cryonics either! Since when is well (more straightforwardly in fact) no longer profess the faith. cryonics mainstream anything? Let proclaim an atheist version of (3) Christians aren’t signing up me get this straight: by such baroque immortalism — as I do in my book. (I for suspension in large numbers, logic, if blacks didn’t invent anything don’t consider my atheism a bit shal- while the ones who do seem to offer critical to cryonics, don’t run any low either — not all forms of atheism heterodox rationalizations for their groups or sign up in numbers (who are equal and alike.) decision. has?), should they be given the boot But David in his letter makes addi- I don’t have a problem with het- tional points I think worth noting, one also? erodox Christians who want to No one owns cryonics. It is not a being that Tipler’s ideas are comple- change their theology to allow for mentary to those of cryonics, and even cryonics. Orthodox Christian theol- Continued on page 9
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 7 Shock Treatments
Killer Instinct
by Brian Shock
ugust 8, 1995, a retired librar presence of a steak in the grocery have the well documented instinct Aian named Mona Dick passed store. What truly horrified me was to suckle, as well as a few other away in Burbank, California. Of that I could only conceive of Mona simple behaviors, but what about course quite a number of people died Dick as a corpse, and not as a human adults? on that day, as they do on any given being in critical condition. Although adult humans may or day of the week, but only Mona Dick Although I was a newcomer to may not retain instinctive behaviors, was an Alcor suspension member. the Alcor facility, I’d been an Alcor we definitely respond to instinctive Coincidentally, I had just started suspension member for many years. “releasers,” internal or external sig- working at Alcor on August 1, 1995, I knew the rationale for cryonics by nals that may activate or drive what as the new Membership Adminis- heart, I’d read Engines of Creation, we do. Higher primates such as trator. I was nervous, energetic, en- and I’d even taken the Transport chimpanzees are instinctively afraid thusiastic, and almost completely Training course the previous year. I of snakes, even if they have never without a clue about how best to fully understood that we would need before encountered them; some hu- handle my job. Little more than a an enormous amount of new medi- man children may react similarly. week later, Mona Dick was declared cal technology to revive a cryonic High-pitched noises (often the voices legally dead, given a blood wash- suspension patient. Still, as Alcor’s of women and children) may instinc- out by Alcor’s Transport Team, and surgeon performed the cardiac by- tively cause us emotional excitement flown to our facility for perfusion pass on Mona Dick and the — that is, annoyance or anger. Het- and freezing. Need I mention that I perfusionist circulated cryoprotectant erosexual adult human males may had even less of an idea how to deal through her body, I couldn’t shake react to the hour-glass shape of hu- with cryonic suspensions? the jarring conviction that they were man females with a very different Mona arrived in a crate packed simply ministering to an inert ob- type of emotional excitement. And with ice, probably around 34 or 35 ject. Instinct insisted to me that then of course almost all of us have degrees Fahrenheit. As Tanya Jones, Mona Dick was never coming back a very positive reaction to sugary Hugh Hixon, and others uncovered from her final state. foods — the sweeter it is, the more Mona and gently placed her on the In time, I graduated from disillu- of it we tend to eat. operating table, I was struck by bone- sionment to healthy skepticism: theo- This particular example has been deep conviction: this person was ab- retically speaking, I felt that we used ad nauseam, and so I won’t solutely, inescapably, irretrievably might someday develop the medical bore you with it much further. When dead. technology that could possibly re- we think of our early primate ances- Dead bodies didn’t faze me. turn some cryonics patients to life. tors living in a resource-poor envi- Over many years of school I had More than anything else, though, I ronment, we can easily imagine the dissected all of the standard zoo- learned to distrust my “instincts.” advantage of loading up on rare sug- logical specimens, including hu- Do Homo sapiens in fact pos- ary food whenever possible. Now, mans. The presence of the corpse sess instincts in the strict ethologi- when anyone can buy a box of itself bothered me no more than the cal sense? Certainly infant humans Twinkies or a six-pack of Coke at
8 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 the corner store whenever he wishes, beneficial medical technology is enheit and actually stopping his this unregulated instinct for sweets counter-instinctive. heart. Although I have never wit- is causing a great deal of obesity. Consider routine surgery such as nessed one of these operations, I sus- If we return to these same early an appendectomy. If one of our low- pect that I might experience precisely primate ancestors again, we also see tech ancestors could view this op- the same feeling I have with cryonic the initial advantages of an instinct eration, how would he interpret it? suspension patients. To any gross about death. Any empathic sense of First he might see a helpless victim examination with human senses, a mortality (your dead body implies (patient) suffocated (anesthetized) by hypothermic arrest patient is a my death) is probably a more recent a small hunting party (surgical team). corpse. But against all instinct, after function of the cerebral cortex, the The hunters would apparently stab fifty minutes of death these “corpses” highest level of our brains. How- this victim in the abdomen, and slice will be revived with little or no ill ever, even an unthinking organism downward into his vital organs until effect. needs to pay special attention to dead finally extracting one tiny, inedible Instincts can lie. Feelings can bodies: aside from the potential for part. Inexplicably, the hunters would lie. Ancient, beloved tenets of cul- infection, there is also a possibility then stitch up the wound they had ture can lie. As cryonicists, we al- that the cause of death (natural di- made, afterward abandoning their ready know this to some degree, but saster, poisonous food, predator, etc.) victim. Instinct would no doubt in- our gut reactions to extreme situa- may still be present. Indeed, hu- sist to our ancestor that the group of tions can still confuse us. In times mans clearly harbor a profound re- gowned and masked “hunters” had to come, when change assaults us action to death, whether that reac- attacked their “victim” with murder- from every direction and the going tion is instinctive or merely cultural. ous intent. When viewed in this gets weird, remember your gut but But we’re no longer simple pri- instinctive fashion, more complex lead with your head! mates grubbing out a bare existence forms of surgery such as heart trans- on the plains of Africa. Just as our plants seem downright savage, more instinct for consuming sweet foods like an Aztec sacrificial ceremony no longer serves us well, so too may than any attempt at healing! our instinctive sense of death mis- Finally, let’s not forget hypoth- lead us. Even if we can never revive ermic arrest surgery, where the medi- current cryonic suspension patients, cal team begins by cooling their pa- we can already observe how so much tient down to about 68 degrees Fahr-
Letters to the Editor would “invent” the means by which stay focussed and keep our eye on Continued from page 7 we would be reanimated and brought the ball. While we are clearly moti- philosophy for the pompous propri- back to health. Go on, raise your hand vated for different reasons, we all etorship of the “scientific material- if you would feel that “theology has want to live. However, unless we ists” elitists. The last time I checked nothing practical to contribute to our encourage and welcome all those my paperwork this was not listed as quest for radical life extension.” I who share our common goal to join a requirement. suspect that some of the naysayers us, we diminish our own individual When you’re in a life raft, it would suddenly be doing a tad bit of chances of survival. seems a little arrogant to complain rationalizing of their own. Yes, I know that there are other that one of the people paddling is Cryonics is to life extension what people who are riled at the thought “one of those Jews.” Or Christian. Or a plane is to transportation or a phone of Christians being cryonicists. But violinists or a three legged Arabian is to communication. It is simply a for the sake of those who work so midget for that matter. tool, and a crude one at that. Cryon- darn hard on Alcor’s membership Imagine for a moment that the ics is for all those with the ability to growth, I just pray that the haughty unthinkable should occur; that a combine a bold vision with the nec- attitude is not “catchy.” Christian, after much prayer for di- essary action to bring it about. What vine guidance, should be the one who we need to do here is to get a life,
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 9 By Ralph C. Merkle
iven one grain of rice on the small loans “so as not to exceed sixty nately, this was not the case; we Gfirst square of a chess board, pounds sterling to one person” for actually have under 500. Even in- two on the second, four on the third, terms not exceeding ten years at five cluding members of CryoCare (un- eight on the fourth etc. how much percent interest per annum. At 5% der 100), we muster little more than rice is on the chess board? per year (a low rate of return by 500. First posed by the Arabic math- present standards, but it still illus- The damage that Alcor suffered ematician Ibn Kallikan in 1256, trates the principle), 1,000 pounds during the split was a major factor in what’s remarkable about this prob- sterling deposited in 1790 should our reduced growth rate. Let’s be lem is how bad we are at answering have become over 17 million pounds clear about what we lost: if our it. One author, who had asked both sterling by 1990. Three fourths of growth were suddenly restored to children and adults “How much rice the funds were disbursed in 1890, 28% tomorrow, we would now and do you think we had at the end?” and the funds also encountered vari- forever be smaller. The 1200 mem- said: “The kids were no worse than ous unplanned exigencies, but still bers we could have been is over twice adults. They were usually off by the two trusts combined held several as many as the under 500 we actu- miles. After working the problem million dollars in 1990. ally are. A decade from now the al- the kids couldn’t believe the results.” Which brings us to cryonics. We most 14,000 we could have been The answer is 264-1, or about 1.8 are few in numbers and command will still be over twice as many as x 1019 grains of rice, or about 1.2 x modest resources, so we must make the 5,000 to 6,000 we would be if 1015 kilograms of rice (assuming the best use of those resources. One somehow we resumed our previous there are 15432.36 grains per kilo- use of resources is to grow. For a growth rate today. This is the harsh gram), or enough rice to feed every few years Alcor enjoyed a growth reality of a missed opportunity for man, woman and child alive today rate of about 28% annually (see pic- exponential growth: it is not just for over five centuries. ture). Though resulting in relatively missed for today, but for the entire Compound interest produces the low membership numbers, this future. same remarkable result. Benjamin growth rate implied a future strength In “Growth and its Conse- Franklin left two trusts when he died that would let us deal with the many quences” (Charles Platt, Cryonics Q3 in 1790, one for Philadelphia and pressing concerns facing us. Had our 1998) showed the immense impact one for Boston, each to last for 200 growth continued at that rate, by the of seemingly small changes in years and each of 1,000 pounds ster- end of 1998 we could have boasted growth rate. A 10% annual growth ling. The money was to be let out in almost 1200 members. Unfortu- rate (roughly Alcor’s current growth
Ralph Merkle received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford in 1979. He is a co-inventor of public key cryptography, executive editor of the journal Nanotechnology, and a Director of both the Foresight Institute and the Alcor Life Extension Foundation. His current research interest is molecular manufacturing.
10 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 This leads to our current situation where revenues from ongoing op- erations (as distinct from the Patient Care Trust Fund, which provides more than sufficient funding to main- tain patients in liquid nitrogen for the indefinite future) are insufficient to fully finance those operations: we make up the difference by a combi- nation of donations and careful cost control. The small number of sus- pensions annually also reduces our ability to deal with peak load situa- tions: the more suspensions we do, the better we will be able to deal with peak loads (statistically speak- ing).
Restoring Growth How do we restore growth? Opinions about which factors are rate, though the data is sketchy) suspensions every working day. At most important and what to do will would give us 2,523 members in 20 the same time, 1,782 neurosuspen- vary (sometimes dramatically) from years. Double the growth rate to sions would produce (at our current person to person. In “The Failure of 20%, and in 20 years we’ll have price of $50,000 per neurosuspen- Cryonics” (Cryonics, Q3 1998) Saul 14,848 members. And if we could sion, with about $33,000 going to Kent suggested there was a single sustain a 30% annual growth rate, in the Patient Care Trust Fund and problem (“...cryonics hasn’t grown 20 years we’d have 74,639 mem- $17,000 in revenue for Alcor) a rev- because nobody thinks it will bers. There’s a reason the CEO’s of enue stream of $30 million per year work!”) and a single solution (“...ma- major companies are obsessed with for Alcor and $59 million for the jor research advances leading to bet- adding a few percentage points to Patient Care Trust Fund. Allowing ter and more credible cryonics ser- the annual growth rate of their com- for some substantial percentage of vices is the only hope we have...”). panies: over the long term these small whole body suspensions would in- His article provides highly simpli- differences have a phenomenal im- crease this revenue stream. In 40 fied (and often simply incorrect, see pact. years at 20% growth, Alcor would my letter in this issue) arguments in have 524,448 members. At roughly support of his claim. “Growth,” $300 per person per year in dues, we Many people realize that sign- for Lack of a Better Word, would see an additional ing up new members is helpful to is Good! $150,000,000 per year from this growth. “Signing up new members” source. These revenues would be Growth by itself will not solve means that someone has to talk with sufficient to sustain the many full- all our problems, but it will give us prospective clients, discuss their con- time suspension teams necessary for the resources to address all these cerns, deal with the particular ar- dealing with that kind of load. problems. Platt says in his article rangements that they wish to make, This compares rather sharply that 20% growth sustained for 40 prepare the forms, and so forth. This with today: we have to maintain at years will result in a daunting 1,782 ongoing interaction provides con- least one suspension team (and ap- suspensions during the peak year tinuing feedback on the issues and propriate facilities) despite the fact (presumably during the last year or concerns that actually influence their that it is woefully underutilized (very two of the simulation), or almost 5 decision to sign up (see the article roughly 2 or 3 suspensions per year).
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 11 by Derek Strong in this issue). We need a place to operate, and sup- there someone who can contact the Many members signed up be- plies to perform the operation: tub- hospital? Will the hospital release cause their friends had previously ing and pumps, scalpels and clamps. the legally dead Alcor member to made cryonics arrangements and told We need an investment strategy, fi- them? Where will the washout take them about the experience. They nancial advisors, a fund that people place? Where are the supplies kept? might have learned that most trust. We need dewars, and someone Who will perform the procedure? cryonicists aren’t rich and that cry- to check the liquid nitrogen, and sen- All these questions and more must onics is paid for with life insurance sors and alarms in case something be answered. Local Alcor members (“Oh! You mean I don’t have to pay goes wrong, and a building to put need to know each other, have local the $50,000 up front?”). They might them in. This can’t be just any build- meetings, and prepare now for their have learned about the possibility ing, but a building that’s safe from own future need. The larger the cry- that, through cryonic suspension, earthquakes, safe from fires, safe onics organization, the more terri- they could wake up healthy and from floods and riots, safe from re- tory it can cover. happy in a world of almost bound- possession. And we need much And, of course, there is research. less opportunity, not old and un- more. . . all of which takes thought, As part of a balanced portfolio of healthy and wretched in a world of and time, and work, and most of all, activities, research can make a ma- ever-narrowing limits. Because resources. The larger the cryonics jor contribution to the growth of cry- word-of-mouth is so important, ex- organization, the more resources it onics. Research, however, is not a isting Alcor members are critical can provide. fungible commodity. You can’t buy contributors to our growth. This also A common complaint among a pound of research, just as you can’t has a more immediate benefit to the non-cryonicists is, “You freeze dead buy a pound of software. Research individual member: the more people people, don’t you?” Before a cry- can be aimed at a better understand- who know you’re signed up, the onic suspension can begin, the pa- ing of many different things. What faster Alcor will find out (when the tient must be declared legally dead. will future medical capabilities be time comes) that you need to be sus- While the law and reality often go able to do? What kinds of changes pended. And relatives and friends their separate ways, this still pre- take place in tissue during suspen- told by strangers shortly after your sents a major concern. The legaliza- sion with existing methods? What legal death that you were signed up tion of pre-mortem suspensions neuronal structures encode memory to be frozen can be much less coop- would both improve our own chances and personality? Given our current erative (and even downright hostile) of survival and our credibility. We’ve methods, is information theoretic than if they learned earlier, directly tried to change the law once (in the death likely? Are there alternative from you, and had time to adjust to Donaldson case); perhaps it is time suspension methods which are less this new idea. to try again. The times are different, likely to cause information theoretic Tell your friends you’re signed we learned much from our last try, death? The larger the cryonics orga- up: the life you save may be your and there is likely a certain random nization, the more resources it can own. element in this process which might commit to such projects. If your friends are interested, it favor us in the next attempt. Would helps if you have something to give a case in Oregon seeking the right to Conclusion them, such as an issue of Cryonics. pre-mortem suspension for a termi- We need resources to grow, and nally ill patient succeed? After all, growth brings resources that we can The Power of Growth the Oregon Death with Dignity Act apply to all our problems, including No discussion of a growing cry- permits people to kill themselves; further growth. A balanced deploy- onics movement would be complete why not let them try to save them- ment of our resources will give us without mention of growth’s advan- selves? The larger the cryonics or- exponential growth and a secure fu- tages. What can a larger cryonics ganization, the more easily it could ture. organization give us? What do we approach such a challenge. need? If someone needs to be sus- We need a suspension team, with pended, it helps if there are people the right skills and the right training. nearby who know what to do. Is
12 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 Reality Check
Hamburger Helpers
by Charles Platt
onsider this science-fiction sce- sumption that death is inevitable. and scientists will have a natural inter- Cnario: Clearly this is the realworld equivalent est in resuscitating people from the past, of Option 2 in the scenario above. We especially when the process becomes Five hundred brave voyagers blast question that attitude and are more at- relatively cheap and simple. off in history’s first interstellar space tracted to our version of Option 3: we I was persuaded by these arguments vehicle, hoping to colonize a new world. spend some money, and maybe some myself, when I first heard them. Subse- Unfortunately, their mission is doomed: time, trying to improve our chances of quently, however, I had second Somewhere out beyond the orbit of survival, even though we can’t be cer- thoughts. Maybe I was being too naive Pluto, a catastrophic malfunction in their tain that our efforts will pay off. and idealistic; after all, many people — life support system threatens to termi- But how serious are we about this, even in the sciences — are inhumane nate supplies of food, air, and water really? I don’t see many people spend- and exploitative. Instead of repairing, within a month. The voyagers contem- ing substantial amounts of time or cash resuscitating, and rejuvenating us, Our plate three possible actions in response to tackle problems in cryonics. Rather, Friends of the Future could perform hid- to this crisis. we contribute small sums in member- eously painful experiments, or sell off ship dues and insurance, and then hope pieces of our wetware with the callous 1. They can broadcast messages in for the best. In fact I suggest that most indifference of a junkyard owner strip- every conceivable format, on every of us merely pay lip service to Option ping an abandoned automobile. waveband, hoping that some passing 3, while trying to avoid the sacrifices In fact there’s a childlike element aliens will stop and help, or and drudgery that it entails. Our stron- in our cherished vision of waking up in gest commitment is to the cryo version the future, where nice men in white coats 2. Reconcile themselves to their of Option 1. will fix everything while asking little or fate, and enjoy their remaining days as At first glance this seems ridiculous. nothing in return. It’s like a kid’s fan- well as they can, or None of us, after all, expects that our tasy of waking up on Christmas Day to lives will be saved by aliens in UFOs. find his parents giving him the specific 3. Work day and night to correct the Still, we do expect unknown outsiders present that he always wanted. More- malfunction, even though no one under- to solve our biggest problems, and these over, most of us seem to assume that stands where the problem lies, and a fix expectations may be less plausible than we’re so inherently special, we don’t may be impossible. we are willing to admit. have to do very much to deserve this. The most basic expectation of cry- Just pay the minimum cost of liquid-ni- Perhaps option 3 seems most sen- onics is that benevolent strangers in the trogen storage; that’s all. sible — although it entails a risk. If the future will repair freezing damage, clone This naive faith in benevolent fault can’t be fixed, the voyagers will new bodies for neuropatients, and throw strangers also applies here and now, have squandered the last month of their in some rejuvenation and longevity where many cryonicists insist on believ- lives in a fruitless, exhausting effort in- treatments as a bonus. This concept, first ing that some wealthy individual or cor- stead of simply enjoying themselves in articulated by Robert Ettinger, seems poration will provide us with resources any way possible. reasonable to anyone who holds two to turn our tiny endeavor into a viable As cryonicists, we face a similar di- truths to be self-evident: that progress large-scale commercial enterprise, if we lemma. All around us we see people in science will continue to the point can just connect with “the right people.” pursuing transient pleasures on the as- where it acquires unimaginable powers, Maybe this is true — yet I’ve seen
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 13 absolutely no evidence for it. In fact I picked out 200 names from Who’s Who cryobiologists were predictably dis- have come to believe that Option 1, in in America, and mailed to each of them mayed. The Society for Cryobiology, my science-fiction scenario, is a fairly a single page summarizing his idea. [5] which had been formed in 1958, [9] accurate metaphor for the behavior of As he later put it, “The response was eventually added a new clause to its cryonicists looking for help in solving very small, and it was clear that a much bylaws, threatening to expel anyone who the challenges that face us. Yes, we re- longer exposition was needed — mostly dabbled in body-freezing: ally could be as self-deluded as space to counter the dead weight of cultural travelers sending distress signals in the bias.” He added, with a trace of bitter- 2.04. Denial of membership hope of being saved by a passing UFO. ness, “A great many people have to be and Discipline of Members A brief recap of early cryonics his- coaxed into admitting . . . that life is tory explains the roots of my skepticism. better than death, healthy is better than Governors in office, the Board of Governors may refuse membership to In 1931, when Robert Ettinger first sick, smart is better than stupid, and im- applicants, or suspend or expel mem- conceived of preserving terminal pa- mortality might be worth the trouble!” bers (including both individual and in- tients in the hope that future science [1] stitutional members),whose conduct would find a way to revive them, he as- He wrote a book, The Prospect of is deemed detrimental to the Society, sumed that it was such an obvious idea, Immortality, which he self-published in including ... any practice or applica- other people would think of it for them- 1962. He sent a couple hundred copies tion of freezing deceased persons in selves, soon enough. Since his own re- to various people, including a science- the anticipation of their reanimation. sources were limited, he also assumed fiction writer named Frederik Pohl. [5] [7] that others would be better able to put Most self-published books circulate up the money, do the research, and of- among a few friends and then disappear Saul Kent has argued that if some- fer storage on a large scale. Therefore, without a trace, but Pohl was intrigued, one offered the cryobiologists enough he didn’t try to promote his concept. He and he connected Ettinger with the New money, they would have overcome their simply waited. [1] [2] York publishing industry. Two years aversion to the embarrassing publicity In 1947, he read that Jean Rostand later, Doubleday published a revised and would have pursued research into had used glycerol as a cryoprotectant to edition of The Prospect of Immortality, human cryopreservation. [8] This may reduce freezing damage. Here, perhaps, and the timing couldn’t have been bet- be true; but research wasn’t the real was a practical way to facilitate sus- ter. Change was in the air, “youth cul- problem. I think it was the idea of actu- pended animation. Still, no one made the ture” was rebelling against traditional ally practicing cryonics, before the tech- seemingly obvious leap to the concept values, and people were getting into all nique was perfected, that made scien- of cryonics, so Ettinger decided to make kinds of strangeness such as astrology, tists uneasy. When Ettinger talked to a small effort of his own. Knowing that transcendental meditation, macrobiotic cryobiologists, he complained that “they scientists often read science fiction, he food, and Kirlian photography. In this all say the chance with present methods wrote his idea into a short story titled context, freezing people didn’t seem so is small and the project premature.” “The Penultimate Trump,” which was weird after all. [3] [5] Why “premature”? Because in sci- published in 1948. [3] [4] It was weird enough, though, to gen- ence and medicine, first you prove that There was no response. So, once erate the wrong kind of publicity. When a technique works, and then you apply again, Ettinger returned to his original Ettinger hit the talk-show circuit, me- it. If you invert this sequence, you’re not strategy: he waited. “I waited for many dia people homed in on the wacky fac- involved in orthodox science anymore; years,” he wrote later, “momentarily tor. He found himself sandwiched be- you’re working speculatively, gambling expecting someone with better creden- tween guests like Buddy Hackett and on the future. This may help to explain tials and more prestige to introduce the Zsa Zsa Gabor while the host asked why, when The Prospect of Immortal- Freezer Era.” [5] questions like, “Are you going to be fro- ity was reviewed in Science magazine, In the 1950s he took a conventional zen with your clothes on, or your clothes the reviewer described Ettinger as “an job as a physics teacher at Wayne State off?” [6] utterly confused optimist.” [9] University in Detroit. [3] He was still Early cryobiologists such as Sir Well — he certainly wasn’t a pes- haunted, though, by his radical concept, Alan Parkes and Audrey Smith had been simist! In an introduction to a later book, with its apparent potential to save mil- extremely cautious, making modest he wrote: “Pessimism is partly a matter lions of lives — including his own. claims and never discussing publicly the of bad experiences or/and hormone Surely, if he could get his message possibility of freezing human beings. shortages. These can be remedied, if you through to “the right people,” they But now that the idea of suspended ani- can hang on a while.” [10] would do what needed to be done. mation was catapulted out of scientific And clearly “hanging on” was one In 1960 he went to the public library, journals, into The National Enquirer, of his great strengths. In fact, he still
14 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 wasn’t ready to give up. Many readers Lesson 2. I see no indication that chances of success. Consumers gener- of his book had sent him letters asking “the right people” will ever recognize ally expect to get solid value for money. for more information. With relentless cryonics and transform it into a profit- They want a product that works. patience, he started telling them how to able business, so long as it remains a get in touch with each other. If “the right speculative procedure. Once in a while, We should pay attention to the path people” were too ignorant or perverse in the decades since James Bedford was followed by all other radically new tech- to propel humanity into the Freezer Era, frozen, wealthy individuals have signed nologies, from powered flight to per- a grass-roots movement might be the up, but none of them has implemented sonal computers. First, while the idea is only way. the ambitious program that Ettinger as- being developed, only a few visionaries Eventually, this persistence paid off sumed was inevitable. The only excep- and eccentrics take it seriously. Then — or seemed to. In June, 1966, a biolo- tions are Saul Kent and Bill Faloon, cur- some demonstrations are staged — and gist named James Bedford wrote to Rob- rently putting more than $1.5 million a are received usually with great skepti- ert Ettinger offering to fund year into research at 21st Century Medi- cism. Finally some early adopters buy cryopreservation research. Bedford cine. But when they first became inter- the product, and respected authorities wasn’t the millionaire that Ettinger had ested in cryonics, neither Kent nor endorse it. At this point news reports been hoping for; he had a more personal Faloon was wealthy. They were not out- shift from being dismissive to cautiously interest, having been diagnosed with side benefactors; they are fellow travel- enthusiastic. From this point onward, if liver cancer, which had spread to both ers, in the same predicament as the rest the product or service is genuinely use- lungs. He wanted to have himself fro- of us, and trying to improve their own ful and reasonably priced, it is accepted zen. [9] chances of survival. by consumers — though the process His wish was granted. In Life maga- Likewise, the largest sums of money may take two or three decades. zine and elsewhere, the case was hailed received by cryonics organizations have In the misguided belief that we are literally as a milestone in human history. been postmortem bequests from people a “special case,” we’ve tried to abbre- Robert Ettinger announced that “the who were already members and wanted viate this tiresome process. We’re still world will never be the same,” [11] and to insure the financial integrity of their at the stage where our product is in de- appeared on nationally-networked TV. organizations for purely personal rea- velopment, appealing only to visionar- Surely this was the moment he had sons. Bearing this in mind, perhaps we ies and eccentrics. We can’t stage a dem- dreamed of: His idea had emerged from should stop searching for “the right onstration. We haven’t even reached the obscurity and penetrated almost every people” outside our field, since this early adopters. Yet we cling to the idea home in the nation. And yet, most quest has achieved zero success after that some wealthy patron is going to sell people still didn’t respond. Despite mas- more than four decades. Instead, we our idea, somehow, to the great mass of sive exposure, as the year drew to a should recognize that something about consumers. close, probably no more than 200 cryonics makes it unappealing not only This is not going to happen. It’s Americans were members of cryonics to scientists, but to venture capitalists. wishful thinking; an evasion of our re- organizations, and still no one was will- Maybe we should ask ourselves why. sponsibility to prove ourselves. ing to invest serious money. [12] I see a similar lack of realism in our These early beginnings established Lesson 3. Cryonics also remains hopes for future resuscitation. True, if a pattern from which we have barely unacceptable to 99.995 percent of we’re lucky, some cryonics associations deviated during four decades. I draw Americans, even though the concept has may still exist 100 years from now, three lessons: received free publicity on a vast scale staffed by people who share our inter- that other businesses would die for. Af- est in rescuing patients from the frozen Lesson 1. The rift between ter hundreds of magazine articles, doz- state. Thus, we may not need to rely on cryonicists and cryobiologists is rooted ens of TV shows, several movies, and “outsiders.” Even so, Our Friends in the in a fundamental difference of philoso- scores of radio talk shows, we find our- Future won’t necessarily possess unlim- phy, training, and attitude toward sci- selves still an underfunded, overworked, ited resources. Therefore, it seems ence. This incompatibility will not be tiny special-interest group. Even when downright stupid to make their task resolved merely by reiterating the seem- celebrities such as Arthur C. Clarke, harder than it needs to be. ing logic of our desire to freeze-now- William Shatner, or Stanley Kubrick Nanomachines most likely will be- fix-later, no matter how well we justify have endorsed cryonics, this has not trig- come dirt cheap (literally); but program- it (as in Ralph Merkle’s resourceful ar- gered substantial growth—perhaps be- ming them to rebuild the horrendously guments for the potential of cause most people don’t see the sense complex three-dimensional structure of nanotechnology). of spending $100,000 or more on a pro- a human brain will be nontrivial, to say cedure with totally unpredictable the least. This task will be more daunt-
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 15 ing, and presumably more expensive, if If you’re reading this before No- 3. The Immortalist by Alan severe damage has occurred. Therefore, vember 8th, you can still make arrange- Harrington, Random House, 1969. if we want to increase our chances of ments to attend the seminar which will resuscitation, obviously we should do be presented in Ontario, California 4. Personal correspondence from what we can to minimize the damage. (about one hour’s drive from Los An- Robert Ettinger, June 26, 1992. Again, this is a matter of accepting geles). In addition, lab tours will be responsibility for our own welfare in- available. Call 1-877-277-0322 (toll 5. “Report on the Slow Freeze” by stead of assuming that other people will free) for details. Robert Ettinger, Worlds of Tomorrow solve all our problems, no matter how Cryobiologist Arthur Rowe once magazine, November 1966. difficult we make them. This means, for suggested that reviving cryonics patients instance, we should all learn the tech- is as implausible as turning hamburger 6. Personal interviews with Saul Kent niques of standby, transport, and perfu- back into a cow. This notorious state- and Curtis Henderson. sion, so that we may help other ment, which may have been made with cryonicists quickly and effectively, to deliberate malice, has provoked anger 7. Society for Cryobiology web page. minimize their ischemic time. Also, we in our community ever since—with should face the need for research to im- good reason. Injury caused by freezing 8. Personal conversation with Saul prove our cryopreservation techniques. is not directly comparable to the struc- Kent. The history of cryonics research is tural disruption caused by a meat dismal. It has been sparse, poorly grinder. 9. Suspended Animation, Robert W. funded, slow, and largely unsuccessful. I do believe, however, that we Prehoda, Chilton Book Company, But now, finally, there is some good shouldn’t just dismiss this kind of criti- 1969. news. Earlier this year, at the annual cism. It represents the views of an en- conference sponsored by the Society for trenched opposition, which must be ad- 10. Man into Superman by Robert Cryobiology, presentations from re- dressed and refuted if we want a real Ettinger, St. Martin’s Press, 1972. searchers at 21st Century Medicine were chance of achieving widespread accep- well received, probably because they tance. This means doing the hard work 11. Life magazine, January 27th, described solid lab work investigating and/or spending the money to develop 1967. solutions for known problems associ- demonstrations which will force even ated with freezing tissue. The people extreme skeptics to change their minds. 12. Membership guesstimates sup- from 21st did not attempt to defend cry- I believe we can demolish the “ham- plied informally by Curtis Henderson onics as it is currently practiced; nor did burger” metaphor conclusively and per- and Mike Darwin. they speculate about nanomachines that manently — if we’re willing to shoul- can’t be built yet, or techniques for cell der this responsibility, instead of repos- repair that cannot be tested. Rather, they ing in the smug but misguided belief that communicated verifiable results in a if we just wait long enough, “hamburger manner that orthodox scientists could helpers” will rescue us from our narcis- respect and understand. sistic complacency. At a special seminar scheduled for November 8th, details of these results MOVING? will be released to the general public. We will learn about powerful new tech- niques to achieve vitrification (low-tem- Let us know about it! perature storage without ice damage), Call 1-602-905-1906 while minimizing toxicity. The impor- Abbreviated References tance of these developments cannot be and ask for Joe Hovey. overstated. At this point I believe we 1. The Prospect of Immortality, Fore- really do have a shot at fixing our own word to the 1987 edition published Don’t miss even one issue life-support system, instead of waiting by The Immortalist Society. for other people to do it for us. Since of Cryonics! some of the research also has broad 2. “The Immortality Myth, Resurrec- commercial applications outside cryon- tion, and Technology,” a paper by ics, 21st Century Medicine even has a Steven B. Harris MD, 1992. shot at making some money.
16 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 Bioimpedance and Cryonics
by Fred Chamberlain
Bioimpedance as a possible indicator of cellular integrity for evaluation of transport proto- cols and the assessment of quality in biostasis procedures; an overview and plan for investi- gation.
Abstract. A basic assumption in all bioimpedance models is that electrical capacitive effects in tissue are attributable to cell membranes (1). Lessening of these properties, which is detectable as a reduction of bioimpedance, appears to be strongly correlated with risk of mortality or vulnerability to illness (2). This paper reviews the relevant literature and known properties of cell membrane and tissue capacitance. It discusses the limitations of current analytical models, and explores how measurements useful in cryonics may overlap with those needed for medical research. Plans are outlined to apply bioimpedance in evaluating cryonics protocols as well as in assessing damage to molecular structure during actual cryonic suspensions.
1. Background. on raising the standards of the best pro- based on the use of bioimpedance for The recent technical advocacy of cedures, rather than on evaluating lesser, such purposes as monitoring of dialysis cryonics has largely been based on hy- (relatively speaking) “compromised” patients (11), that non-conductive potheses of the reparability of damaged suspensions often necessitated by cir- cryoprotectants should produce a drop biological tissue by molecular scale re- cumstances or other limitations. It is in tissue conductivity. More recently, pair machines (3), as proposed in K. apparent that an urgent need exists for in reviewing technologies for combat- Eric Drexler’s Engines of Creation (4). thorough evaluation of the wide range ing ischemia, we began to see that Such mechanisms were suggested ear- of these lesser technologies, which are bioimpedance might have more gen- lier as “robot surgeons” in The Pros- certain to be used in an increasing num- eral use, as a way to assess tissue vi- pect of Immortality by Robert C. W. ber of cases. ability (cell membrane integrity). Ettinger (5). Criticisms have been There, we expect to find a spec- Bioimpedance measurements can voiced (and disputed) that such hypoth- trum of molecular preservation corre- differentiate intracellular from extra- eses are not well supported by observa- sponding to a range of parameters (ra- cellular water (12), a consequence of tional evidence (6,7,8), and that cell pidity of response, choice of medica- the electrical capacitance of cell mem- membranes may be dissolved by present tions, methods of cooling or other sta- branes. A reference on biomedical en- cryoprotectants. These debates persist bilization, etc.) Real-time correlation gineering (13) roughly places cell mem- in the face of arguments, published ear- of bioimpedance measurements with brane capacitance at one microfarad per lier, that substantial cellular structure markers of molecular preservation may square centimeter. This is a uniform exists for periods of many hours after help us more rapidly and realistically property of living organisms, their or- clinical and legal death, even under ad- evaluate protocols for cryonic suspen- gans, tissues and elementary biological verse conditions of warm ischemia and sion, as well as monitor and control materials. In vegetables, for example, freezing without cryoprotection (9). actual procedures. This is the context there is a total loss of capacitance upon Recent literature supports the idea that for our investigation. boiling or freezing (14). May we not even 4-8 hours of ischemia does not also expect to see such effects with necessarily render neurons non-viable 2. Introduction and Overview. animal tissues, specifically those of hu- (10). For several years, bioimpedance mans? Would such data help guide the No systematic, well-funded pro- had been discussed by the staff at Alcor development of cryoprotectants, cool- gram exists to explore these controver- for measurement of cryoprotective lev- ing rates, or other parameters associ- sies in depth and resolve them. Cryon- els during cryonic suspensions. Hugh ated with cryonic suspensions? ics research up to this time has focused Hixon and Steve Van Sickle reasoned, As discussed in more detail below,
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 17 Fred Chamberlain worked as an electro-optical engineer at Jet Propulsion Laboratory from 1966-1979 and was responsible for portions of the Mariner Venus-Mercury and Voyager missions. In 1972 he and his wife Linda founded Alcor; his father, Col. Fred Chamberlain, Jr., was Alcor’s first suspension patient in 1976. Fred currently serves as Alcor’s President and CEO. bioimpedance is under vigorous use and effects of burn and sepsis had its lowest cells (typically, single frequency instru- development by the medical commu- values at day 1.5, and stayed signifi- ments operate at 50 kHz). If cell mem- nity. Cryonics applications will ben- cantly low until day 4. Interestingly, branes are intact and cells are tightly efit from this widespread effort. Also, the phase angle was lowest in the two coupled to one another, electrical ca- we might develop applications (particu- cases that died subsequently.” (Phase pacitance is high. If cells are perfo- larly in resuscitation medicine) of clini- angle is a measure of the degree of rated or very loosely coupled to each cal value. In deep hypothermia for neu- capacitance vs. resistance in the tis- other, the capacitance is less. rosurgery, as another example, there is sues.) Skin resistance created problems likely to be a strong overlap of our Extensive surveys of BIA for medi- with good measurements until the de- goals to preserve tissue integrity and cal purposes have recently been pub- velopment of a now universal four ter- the needs of surgical teams to recover lished [Critical Reviews in Biomedical minal or “quadrapole” system. In this patients to an uninjured, living state. If Engineering, V24/4-6 with over 1200 technique, electric current flows through we need measurement validation by references]. Special issues of certain the body between two electrodes, and means of animal work, we may find periodicals have focused on it [Physi- the level of current (in microamperes) opportunities for collaboration with ological Measurement, 5/98:V19/N2 is measured. Close to each of the “cur- medical research teams. If our instru- and The American Journal of Clinical rent injection” electrodes, a second mentation or data processing strategies Nutrition, 9/96:V64/N3(S)]. Its use- “voltage measurement” electrode is have commercial value, this will add to fulness has been shown in areas rang- placed. Between these two inner probes, the resources available for furthering ing from regulating dosages of Human the actual voltage developed through cryonics research. Growth Hormone (20) to the prediction bulk tissue can be accurately measured of mortality in risk in asymptomatic, (with very high input impedance, to 3. Breadth of Application. HIV-infected patients (2). eliminate the skin resistance effect). Bioimpedance has been extensively Due to the capacitance effects of the used for determining “body composi- 4. Principles and Basic tissue, the measured voltage and cur- tion” (15,16), but it has a rapidly grow- Bioelectrical Impedance Models. rent will be not be perfectly synchro- ing range of other applications in medi- Bioimpedance is a measure of the nized (i.e. “in phase”). The degree of cine. One research group states (17): passive electrical properties of the bulk asynchronism (“phase angle” for sinu- “Altered cellular membrane function is tissues of the body (vs. ‘skin resistance’ soidal stimuli) is a measure of cell ca- a common feature of the septic patient as commonly used in polygraphs for lie pacitance. and has been systematically associated detection or active measures of body- 4.1 Early Observations and with a significant low Xc/R and phi” generated electrical signals such as in [low tissue capacitance].” This group electrocardiography or electromyogra- Models of Biological Specimens. further states, “Some authors have dem- phy). Body tissues exhibit both resis- In a recent review paper (21), Boone onstrated that this relation Xc/R is highly tance and capacitance. The vector sum et al. talk of 19th century researchers correlated with mortality and could be of these, “impedance,” is a measure- observing the decrease in electrical re- used for staging of critically ill patients ment of the response to very small out- sistance as the frequency was raised. throughout their stay in the ICU.” In side electric currents introduced into One of them (Bernstein) suggested a another study (18): “registration of tho- the body. “‘membrane hypothesis’; that tissue racic electrical bioimpedance was used Electric current moves through the consisted of conductive cells enclosed for early detection of acute rejection body both by ionic conduction and by in an insulating membrane, and sur- after heart transplantation.” For burn charge accumulation on cell mem- rounded by a conductive interstitium.” victims, cell membrane capacitance branes. At frequencies of interest for In 1910, Hober (22), “found a large seems to be highly significant. Investi- medical assessment, a significant por- decrease in the resistivity of a sample gators state (19), “The phase angle tion of the conduction takes place of blood after disruption of the red cell (BIA) indicative of cellular membrane “through” as opposed to “around” the membranes.” This, he suggested, al-
18 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 lowed the intracellular fluid to play a part in conduction, where previously it had been isolated by the cell mem- branes. Electrical models developed in the early part of this century (21) are shown in Figures 1 and 2, attributed to Lapique (in 1907), Philippson (in 1921) and Fricke and Morse (in 1925). Capaci- tances (C) are shown with subscripts “m” for “membrane”; intracellular re- sistance is indicated by “i.” Subscript “x” means extracellular resistance. Figure 1 does not provide for ex- tracellular resistance, but “works” be- cause Ri and Rm (in combination) emu- late this. Figure 2 does not account for membrane resistance, but this can be conceived as a component of Rx. These “lumped constants” are more easily ana- lyzed, but do not realistically corre- Figure 1. Figure 2. spond to biologically related values. More complex models are plausible, but lead to less manageable mathemat- ics. In all cases, notwithstanding these difficulties and simplifications of mod- els, electrical capacitance is always there. Every investigator takes it into account, one way or another. Tissue without capacitance (cell membranes) is not “alive,” by any existing standard.
4.2 Theoretical Models and Their Limitations. In 1941, Cole and Cole (1) mea- sured the electrical properties of di- Figure 3. Figure 4. electric solids and liquids, including (in- terestingly) glycerol at temperatures of -40ºC to -60ºC. After a long series of angle’ element remains elusive.” Com- Current loops involve potential differ- measurements in which they found parisons based on multiple frequency ences of about 100mV between ex- 10 many departures from elementary approaches have not shown other ana- tremes.” There are in excess of 10 theory, they devised a model based on lytical methods to be clearly superior cells in the body. Most are non-spheri- “pseudo-capacitances” with “constant (23). cal, and they preferentially conduct cur- phase angles” (CPAs). Their work ap- It is not surprising that biological rent in longitudinal vs. transverse di- pears as the foundation reference for tissue exhibits non-linear electrical be- rections (along the longest interior path- most models of bioelectric impedance. haviors, making modeling of it diffi- ways of the cell). Membrane voltages In the fifty years since its publica- cult. A source cited earlier describes of up to 0.1 volt exist from interiors of tion, the Cole-Cole model has not been “bioelectric current loops” (specific to cells to their exteriors, and (thus) cells rendered obsolete. Boone et al. (above) small groups of cells) as follows: “In- store electrical energy to begin with. say, “although it is possible to choose tense current loops often are contained Any flows of ions (and they flow all the parameters so that it accurately repre- within a millimeter or less, although time) cause shifts to these voltages. sents most tissues, the physical inter- loops of weaker intensity may extend This complexity has made the de- pretation of a (Coles’) ‘constant phase throughout the whole body volume. velopment of realistic models difficult,
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 19 and it has frustrated investigators who “Another potential source of variabil- try to compare instruments for purposes ity is the change in tissue properties Perspectives. of standardization and reliability. As after death. Many data in the litera- one investigator put it, trying to explain ture were obtained from excised tis- sues that were far removed from in During the first quarter of 1998, his model (24): vivo conditions. Twofold increases Alcor and BioTransport, Inc. had in resistivity were reported within a been anticipating the imminent for- “The most likely cause of phase shift few minutes after blood flow ceased, mation of a close working relation- at higher frequencies in bioimpedance apparently because of swelling of cells ship with Twenty First Century Medi- spectroscopy is the interaction between as the result of ischemia.” (25) [The cine, Inc. and BioPreservation, Inc., subject stray capacitance and the mea- cited basis of this comment is a Scan- both of which are closely associated suring characteristics of the instru- dinavian paper published in 1951 with CryoCare Foundation. Under ment. If this hypothesis is correct, T d (26)]. the scenarios proposed, BioTransport (an arbitrary time delay necessary to would have focused almost exclu- make the model ‘work’) has no bio- sively on the structuring of programs logical significance and is an artefact Although not so clearly stated in for cryonics service delivery, based of the measuring system. For all prac- other literature, the implication is that profound changes in bioimpedance take primarily on methods and technolo- tical purposes, the Td effect can be gies provided by 21st CM and BPI largely modelled out by using either place immediately after the onset of
(Twenty First Century Medicine and exp(jwTd) or 1/(1+jwTd) as additional clinical death. Yet, so far as the present BioPreservation). products in the Cole-Cole model, al- review of the literature has revealed, During the second quarter of the though the latter is likely to be theo- there is no indication that post-mortem year, differences of approach arose retically more appropriate.” bioimpedance changes per se have been which (now) take us in divergent di- studied as the primary focus. This im- rections. For several years, at mini- 5. Bioimpedance and Cryonics. mum, developing a cryonics service plies the potential for doing useful, Despite the limitations of models, business along the lines advocated original work. the underlying reality is that biological by 21st CM and BPI would have It also implies substantial potential meant focusing almost exclusively on tissues possess capacitance; it seems to for important measurement of changes methods which require the ideal situ- be a measure of cell membrane quality. to bioimpedance in persons who are ation of advance notice and deeply Electric current flows through extra- being medicated and cooled in an at- cooperative hospital staff and fam- cellular pathways at low frequencies. tempt to prevent the dissolution of their ily. Such cases are important, but in- At higher frequencies, it penetrates cell cellular structure. Are there other in- frequent. Our obligations to the gen- membranes as a result of capacitance. vestigators who might have parallel in- eral Alcor Membership do not per- If cell membranes are damaged, ca- terests to ours, in this respect? Almost mit us to discontinue programs for pacitance vanishes and overall resis- certainly. training and equipping local groups tance drops (at all frequencies). In light for response to a full range of rescue scenarios. We are hopeful that at of this, we expect useful results from 5.2 Possibilities for Collaboration. some future time, 21st CM and BPI bioimpedance measurements in cryon- A study of cat brain ischemia (27) will offer to license their technolo- ics. If we later develop improved mod- for up 120 minutes at 37°C, with sub- gies to Alcor and BioTransport. els in which subcomponents of sequent fixation and study of neural Alcor and BioTransport have bioimpedance can be tied to definable ultrastructure, would be of interest in signed a contract to pursue capabili- elements of the cellular ultrastructure, itself. If bioimpedance measurements ties independent of 21st CM and BPI. so much the better. had been made, the value to our work This will include (a) improvement of would be greater still. The same is true protocols, (b) research of new ways 5.1 Evidence of to compare and evaluate protocols, of rat brains stored at both 4°C and and (c) raising capital for local res- Potential Usefulness. 25°C for up to 72 hours and then evalu- cue team support through a Direct In a recent paper on whole body ated for biochemistries (28). In one Public Offering (DPO). As part of the impedance (25) the authors comment case, freeze-fracture vs. thin section research effort, an intensive exami- that sources of data are highly variable. electron microscopy of tissue was made nation of bioimpedance as a prom- This is intended to be an observation after 1-48 hours of autolysis at 20°C ising source of new data is underway. on the unreliability of the literature for (29). As with the cat brain work, The paper which follows is the first research purposes, but the implication bioimpedance measurements might of many which will appear in sup- for cryonics is quite different. The state- have been of great interest to the inves- port of this effort. ment is made that: tigators, as well as ourselves. Other studies like this should be sought out,
20 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 with the goal of finding work in progress a method named “CryoVent” for rapid efforts will be made to locate ongoing which might offer opportunities for col- cooling, first described as (40), “A pro- research which can benefit from laboration on our part. prietary working fluid that results in bioimpedance measurements, and par- Much interest exists in differenti- long term survival of animals venti- ticipate. This means looking for pro- ating apoptosis from necrosis (30,31). lated with it,” preceded by the state- grams with animal models and data Some of these investigators might have ment, “We then looked to perflur- types we would like, per (a) and (c) interests in adding bioimpedance to the odecalin and mixtures of other above. parameters they are recording. The flurocarbons such as FX-80, the breath- It may be important for us to look same is true of those concerned with ing medium used by Leland Clark and for situations where data logging and lysosomes as active agents in neuronal his associates in the late 1960’s.” This analytical platforms are compatible. cell death (32). The role of calcium will no doubt be an option for cryonics [For example, if most investigators do- ions in killing cells of the central ner- transport in the future, depending on its ing work of interest to us ran a package vous system is of intense interest availability under license. Accordingly, like LabView BioBench, our contribu- (33,34,35), as investigators search for it makes sense for us to follow this tion might be limited to compatible sig- ways to limit damage in strokes. If work, along with parallels under study nal acquisition hardware and (our own) bioimpedance turns out to be a useful by other investigators (41). software. The hardware could range research tool in evaluating the effects Along with the use of fluorocarbon from OEM instruments with existing of medications in these studies (as well class compounds for ventilation, we drivers to “front ends” we develop on as in cryonics), might there not be sub- need to track the use of perfluorocarbons our own. The latter might be both less stantial opportunities for our participa- used as artificial bloods, such as those expensive and more suitable.] tion, if we were to furnish data acquisi- shown to enhance brain oxygenation A contrary view to integration with tion and logging equipment on a loan during cardiopulmonary bypass (42). others’ platforms might be the relative basis (in exchange for the data)? Would the use of bioimpedance mea- ease (to them) of getting a stand-alone Forensic and pathologic studies of surements during the administration of system from us, and later receiving the brains (36,37,38) might benefit from these compounds add to our knowl- data in a reduced form. Under that bioimpedance measurements. Even edge of their usefulness? They might, perspective, we would want to supply a studies to characterize changes in sur- and we should find ways to work with system which required only that they face tissues after death (39) could be those who are using these compounds, “turn it on and properly place the useful, if we had bioimpedance corre- wherever possible. bioimpedance leads on/into their ex- lation for the other data. Taking the perimental model.” point of view of forensic medicine and 6. Plan for Investigation. forensic analysis, for a moment, it could A database of reference material is 6.1 Short Range Goals. be that the studies we are commencing being gathered for use by both Alcor We need to determine that we can could lead to applications in which and BioTransport in generating propos- make useful measurements and use bioimpedance becomes a standard part als for putting bioimpedance to work in them reliably for evaluating protocols of all procedures in which “time of cryonics. In conjunction with that, (a) and stabilization procedures. For that, death determination” is a priority. a program of measurements will be we need to plan, construct and make Finally, we should be interested in planned, (b) candidate hardware sys- use of basic apparatus for fundamental related technologies, particularly where tems will be identified, and (c) correla- measurements, in which ischemic tis- they might have potential for use in tive data will be identified. (“Correla- sue characteristics are mapped. We cryonics. Mike Darwin has developed tive data” means those mea- must also, if we can, develop improved surements or observations we models on which realistic bioimpedance need, along with bioimp- interpretations can be based. Do we edance, to tie the bioimpedance have, even now, some early results sup- data to the state of molecular porting these goals? preservation in tissue — elec- tron micrographs and bio- 6.2 Preliminary chemical markers, principally.) Laboratory Activities. As results are obtained, (d) cry- Figure 5 shows the phase angle onics applications will be pro- effect obtained by applying a 10 KHz posed, to include specific per- sine wave voltage to a potato, using four formance goals. surgical needles for the electrode array. Fig. 5. Hugh Hixon’s BIA Demo Setup. As mentioned earlier, With an oscilliscope and an audio gen-
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 21 Figure 7(a) shows an experimental assembly with which more sensitive dif- ferences of phase shift can be detected. In Figure 7(b), visitors Berrie Staring and Arjen Kamphuis from the Nether- lands (see website : www.transcedo.org) discuss potential for use in commercial as well as cryonics applications. Over the next several months, ex- tensive measurements will be performed Fig. 6. Bioimpedance in support of proposals for Alcor and Scale Adaptation. BioTransport, Inc. to jointly develop such applications. An important near erator, available in most laboratories, term goal will be a capability to measure Hugh Hixon (of Alcor) readily repro- bioimpedance during cryonic suspen- duced the phenomena discussed in ref- sions, if initial studies indicate that this erence 14. This indicates the straight- data could help characterize the quality forward manner in which one can dem- of the procedure. onstrate the existence of cell membranes in living materials, using bioimpedance. 6.3 Preliminary Analytical Work. Figure 8. In Figure 6, a consumer scale mea- Figure 8 shows a composite circuit, headed. These goals might lie years suring percentage of body fat (via combining the functional features of away, if only low level funding is pro- bioimpedance) has been modified with Figures 1 and 2, above. At this point, it vided. Conversely, with capitalization external circuitry to simulate the pres- is still too simple to accurately model of the kind to be sought by BioTransport, ence of a person standing on the device in-vivo bioimpedance response, but will they might be achieved far more serve to illustrate one of the analytical quickly. approaches under consideration. By a (A) Field Portability. All equipment technique similar to that used in the should fit within one piece of carry-on optimization of other systems (non-elec- luggage and weigh no more than fifty trical), the response of this circuit to pounds. square waves (or sinusoidal stimuli with phase shifts) can be projected. Figure 9 (B) Data logging and display/analy- Fig. 7a. Impedance shows the response of this circuit to sis. These should be automated and Bridge Breadboard imposed square wave voltages, and Fig- easy to learn, so that intelligent lay per- ure 10 reflects the injection of square sons can operate the system. (electrical currents passing up one leg, “current waves” of alternate polarity, (C) Price. This should be less than through the abdomen and down the other as measured at the junction of R with l $10,000.00 and should include train- leg.) Electrodes at each heel measure R and C . m m ing, consulting and warranty repair the voltage developed by current enter- In each case, the analytical model- (parts and labor) for three years after ing and leaving through the ball of the ing results in rapid convergence of the delivery. foot.) The external circuitry will also response waveform. The technique can (D) Performance. The system should permit demonstating and (later) mea- be applied to far more complex cir- suring bioimpedance phase shifts of cuits, for the purpose of emulating the people, in parallel with the internal bioimpedance data processing. response of in-vivo data. Figure 11 represents a circuit for this purpose (24), and is an example of the direction which can be taken with this analysis.
6.4 Long Range Goals. The following specifications give an idea of what might suit our needs in Fig. 7b. Fred Chamberlain, Arjen the longer term, bearing in mind that Kamphuis, and Berrie Staring they are (presently) hypothetical. The Discuss Bioimpedance. idea is to have a sense of where we are Figure 11.
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(E) Sensible “Make or Buy” Tradeoff. (Postscript) 9. Anon, “The Cryobiological Case for The choice of making or buying hard- A vast literature of investigation Cryonics,” Appendix B (pp A1-A25) in ware should be based on minimizing and clinical application of bioimpedance “Cryonics; Reaching for Tomorrow” 1993, Alcor Life Extension Foundation. manpower and other dollar costs. is taking shape. In planning Alcor and BioTransport research, we will explore 10. Dai J, Swaab DF, Buijs RM, “Recov- (F) Compatibility with Collabora- it thoroughly. Readers of Cryonics who ery of axonal transport in “dead neurons,” tive Work. (A) through (E) above are familiar with or engaged in The Lancet, V351 2/14/98, pp499-500. should be important to those we work bioimpedance work are encouraged to with. In addition, we must minimize contact Alcor and/or BioTransport. 11. Kushnet P, de Vries PMJM, Gudivaka the degree to which integrating our mea- There is plenty of work to do (email: R, “Use of bioelectrical impedance analy- surements into their work is a burden. [email protected] or fred@biotrans- sis measurements in the clinical manage- port.com; both of these will remain ac- ment of patients undergoing dialysis,” Am 7. Summary tive addresses.) J Clin Nutr 1996;64(suppl):503S-9S. and Acknowledgements. 12. Avis, N.J.; Lindow, S.W.; Bioimpedance measurements are Kleinermann, F., “In vitro multifrequency considered to be a potentially valuable electrical impedance measurements and source of additional data for cryonics modeling of the cervix in late pregnancy,” purposes. The medical literature sug- J Physiol Meas 17:Suppl. 4A, NOV 1996, gests a high level of interest and devel- pp A97-A103. opment, which may offer the potential
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20. de Boer H, Blok GJ, Voerman B, de 30. Majno G, Joris I, “Apoptosis, oncosis, 41. Chambers S, Laberteaux K, Hirschl Vries P, Popp-Snijders C, van der Veen E, and necrosis. An overview of cell death,” R, “Demonstration of a Method to Char- “The optimal growth hormone replace- Am J Pathol 1995 Jan;146(1):3-15. acterize and Develop Airway Access ment dose in adults, derived from Devices for Total Liquid Ventilation,” Art bioimpedance analysis,” J Clin Endocrinol 31. Charriaut-Marlangue C, Margaill I, Cells Blood Subs & immob Biotech Metab 1995 Jul;80(7):2069-2076. Represa A, Popovici T, Plotkine M, Ben- 26(2),123-132 (1998). Ari Y, “Apoptosis and necrosis after re- 21. Boone K, Barber D, Brown B, “Imag- versible focal ischemia: an in situ .DNA 42. Runge TM, McGinity JW, Frisbee SE, ing with electricity: Report of the Euro- fragmentation analysis,” J Cereb Blood Bricena JC, Ottmers SE, Calhoon JH, pean Concerted Action on Impedance To- Flow Metab 1996 Mar;16(2):186-194 Hantler CB, Korvick DL Ybarra JR, “En- mography,” J Med Engr & Tech, V21/N6, hancement of Brain pO2 During Car- Nov/Dec 1997, pp 201-232. 32. Nixon RA, Cataldo AM, “The lyso- diopulmonary Bypass Using a somal system in neuronal cell death: a Hyperosmolar Oxygen Carrying Solu- 22. Hober R, “Eine methode, die review,” Ann N Y Acad Sci 1993 May tion,” Art Cells Blood Subs & immob elektrische leitfahigkeit im Innern von 28;679:87-109. Biotech 25(3),261-274 (1997). Zellen zu messen,” Arch. Ges. Physiol. 1910, V133, 237-259.
24 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 “No One Thinks it Will Work” . . . and Other Myths
by Derek B. Strong (fka Derek Ryan)
nce, while attending the wedding paired, we had very different outlooks. degree in the field of “Cryonics Psy- Oreception of some dear friends of This conversation etched itself in chology,” and even if I did, well... I mine, I got into an interesting conver- my memory for a number of reasons. guess I couldn’t have one of those un- sation with a couple of very interesting For one, it was by far the most I have der any circumstances, could I? No such people. The topic of conversation was been challenged to defend cryonics from field of scientific inquiry exists today. cryonics, of course, and the two people a scientific point of view before or since. The closest analog we have is the field were a very active and well-respected That was invigorating! On the other of “Death & Dying Psychology,” and biological researcher (let’s call him hand, my apparent inability to change its applicability to cryonics seems to be “Bob”) and his very intelligent son his mind left me feeling disappointed, limited at best. (we’ll call him “Bob’s son”). Though I and we always seem to remember our What’s more, the study of human had often spoken with these two at pre- disappointments more clearly than our motivation is known to be quite prob- vious parties, this was the first time successes. The main reason my conver- lematical. We can ask people why they we’d actually broached the topic of cry- sation with Bob comes to mind right do what they do, including “anony- onics. now, though, is that, out of the thou- mously” using a medium such as the We went on and on that night, ex- sands of folks with whom I have dis- Internet. We can phrase our questions ploring many facets of the technology, cussed cryonics this decade, he is the in ways that trick them into revealing its potential social impact, all the usual one and only I can remember talking to more than they mean to about what’s stuff. Finally, we focused in on the whose one and only stated reason for going on in their heads. We can poke simple question of whether cryonics (as not joining a cryonics organization was them, prod them, and measure various practiced today) had any hope of work- his firm belief that the technology would aspects of their brain activity and neu- ing. Bob had obviously looked into the not work. rochemistry when they carry out the issue somewhat, and he held serious This contrasts sharply with Saul actions whose motivations we are try- doubts that memory and identity could Kent’s recent statement (in his article, ing to determine. But except in rare survive the kind of cellular damage in- “The Failure of Cryonics”, published in circumstances, our conclusions as to flicted by the freezing process (even last quarter’s Cryonics magazine): why people do what they do are often under optimal circumstances). We ex- nothing more than educated guesses. plored this issue for a good while, until “To put it in a nutshell: cryonics hasn’t People are complex. What they say, we finally convinced ourselves that we grown because nobody thinks it will what they mean, and most importantly, weren’t going to convince each other. work!” what they do, are often unrelated to On the basic issue of damage, we found each other at all. This is all we know for much to agree about. But on the possi- Let me state for the record here that I certain. bility that this damage might be re- am not a trained scientist. I have no None of us really has the kind of
After completing a stint in the U.S. Army, Derek Strong went on to serve three years as Alcor’s Membership Administrator and the Alcor Board Secretary. Since then, he has achieved success as a Silicon Valley Web programmer. Derek currently acts as a Director on Alcor’s Board, Webmaster of Alcor’s online presence (http://www.alcor.org), and an Alcor CryoTransport Technician.
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 25 understanding of why people do and to be touched to change their minds on of different “Death and Dying” classes don’t sign up that would compare with, something as fundamental as this) the from nearby Mesa Community College. say, Dr. Greg Fahy’s understanding of way that the sight of a living, breathing, MCC happened to have an instructor at cryobiology, or Dr. Mike Perry’s un- healthy cryonics revivee will. that time who himself found cryonics derstanding of mathematics. It’s still But will this be sufficient? I don’t to be very interesting, and who wanted too early in the game, with too few think so. his students to hear unusual perspec- players, and no real study so far. Any- Interestingly enough, an alarming tives. We gave these folks the whole one can tell you anything about why number of people think cryonics already rundown: a tour of the facility, a de- new cryonicists aren’t “beating down has worked. One of the most common scription of our procedures, and all the our doors,” and no true authority can questions I heard while manning the time they wanted in which to ask ques- aid you in deciding what to believe. phones at Alcor during my days as a tions. After the first couple of tours So where does that leave us? Well, staffer there was this: (during which I was still helping), Steve the best we can offer are those folks “So... what ever happened to that got the brilliant idea of creating and who have spent significant time talking dog that was frozen and revived?” offering a survey designed to let the to people, trying to convince them to Most cryonicists will know that this students tell us (anonymously) about sign up, and listening to what they say refers to the famous case of Miles the their thoughts on what they had seen (and what they seem to mean). Saul Beagle and Paul Segall at Trans Time, and the notion of cryonics in general. In Kent is certainly one such person, hav- Inc. Most of you will also know that the end, Steve, Brian, and I surveyed ing been doing this for many decades. Miles was not actually frozen. He sim- five different classes, for a total of 67 And though I am a latecomer by com- ply underwent (and survived) approxi- unique surveys. parison, I would count myself in that mately an hour of asanguineous hypo- Besides the standard “feedback” group. During my time as an Alcor thermic perfusion, meaning that he had questions designed to help us improve member (9 years), volunteer (2 years), his blood washed out and his body tem- as speakers (“Was the subject explained Membership Administrator (3 years), perature lowered to just above freezing, in an understandable manner?” “Were Advisor (2 years), and Director, I have then had the process reversed and sur- your questions answered to your satis- spoken with hundreds of individuals vived to bark about it later. For what- faction?” etc.), Steve asked three really who were carefully considering the pros- ever strange set of reasons, many people critical questions on the survey. Taken pect of cryonic suspension membership. think Miles was frozen and success- as a group, these turned out to give us a I personally signed up nearly a quarter fully revived. lot of insight into what the average per- of Alcor’s current membership, and And let’s not even talk about the son really thought about cryonics once worked closely with another 75+ or so worldwide confusion about Walt Disney they’d heard our side of the story. In- who entered the signup process at one here! Suffice it to say that a surpris- deed, looking back at the completed point but never finished. I have given ingly large number of people already surveys today, I am more impressed tours, speeches, presentations, and in- think cryonics works or has worked. than ever with just how useful those terviews to literally thousands of oth- But let’s leave aside these people. For questions turned out to be. From the 11 ers, speaking with a tremendous num- the most part, they probably aren’t the questions, here are questions 8, 9, and ber of them at length on every issue sharpest cookies in the terran cookie 10: they could imagine in regard to the de- jar, and wouldn’t probably be our best sirability of cryonics. targets for new members, anyway. 8) Do you think cryonics might work? So what do I think? But what about the rest of the world? First and foremost, let me offer my Or narrowing down to a more approach- 9) What are your feelings about cry- firm agreement with what I think Saul able audience for our current purposes, onics in general now? A good idea, a Kent and others usually mean when they what about the rest of America and other bad idea, other? speak about the failure of cryonics. That Western-influenced societies? Why is, I believe, as they do, that cryonics don’t they sign up? Do they think cry- 10) If you felt that you could afford won’t really acquire the kind of wide- onics will work? cryonic suspension, would you sign up spread acceptance we all want until and Thanks primarily to the intelligent for it? unless we can demonstrate a fully re- efforts of former Alcor President Steve versible procedure. This seems so clear Bridge, we just happen to have some Before I get into specifics, I should men- I have difficulty imagining disagree- surveys on file that asked people ex- tion that the demographics of these ment about it. No amount of reasoning actly that. During 1995 and 1996, Steve, classes are a big part of why I find them and argument will ever touch people on Brian Shock, and I conducted tours of to be as close to “scientific” as such an emotional level (the way they need Alcor’s Scottsdale facility for a number surveys can get. First of all, Phoenix is
26 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 well known as one of the more di- Questions Feasibility Good Idea/Bad Idea? Would you sign up? verse cities in America in terms of cultures. It has grown dramatically Generalized Yes, it might work. It’s a good idea. Yes, I might sign up. in the last 30 years, with most of the Response new residents coming from all over the States (and other places). Its abil- Specific “Yes, but would “Like many early ity to get folks to emigrate there Responses have much better scientific ideas (like makes it a true melting pot, and these odds if you could airplanes) someday it freeze while still will seem classes reflected that. You could hear alive.” commonplace.” southern accents, eastern accents, midwestern accents, and of course “I think it is a great you could clearly see the diversity in idea. Definitely a need terms of race, with African-Ameri- for research funding.” cans, Latino-Americans, and a vari- ety of other minorities being well represented. (It is no accident that Questions Feasibility Good Idea/Bad Idea? Would you sign up? Phoenix is one of the primary loca- Generalized Yes, it might work. It’s a good idea. No, I won’t sign up. tions for sneak previews and screen- Response ings conducted by the motion pic- ture industry. That Phoenix repre- Specific “No, I do not think I sents a broad cross-section of Ameri- Responses would want to be can culture is a clearly accepted fact.) alive, when all my Another reason I like the demo- loved ones are graphics of Death and Dying classes dead.” is the distribution of ages and ca- reers. To the best of my knowledge, “Good idea, very “Not personally. A these classes were all night courses. interesting. But would body is just another like to see a live (well) thing to carry As such, they tended to attract a dis- creature frozen around. Also would proportionate number of so-called then brought back.” possibly wake up a “returning students,” meaning adults loon.” well past the “normal” age for at- tending college. The ages of these “No. I think my students therefore ranged from 18 to body is temporary 40 and beyond, with a relatively even only for this life.” distribution. This means that to a cer- tain extent we can discount the ex- Questions Feasibility Good Idea/Bad Idea? Would you sign up? pected problems with surveys from college students being biased toward Generalized Yes, it might work. My feelings about No, I won’t sign up the views of the “younger genera- Response cryonics are [other]. tion.” In retrospect, I regret that we Specific “I don’t know. But if it didn’t ask for information about age, Responses ends up working I’ll race, and career, since those num- sign up.” bers would tend to bolster the valid- ity of our results. Nevertheless, I do “Unsure.” (I count all responses resem- vague answers we received. You can believe that the location and time of the bling “I would say the odds of that are see examples of exactly what was said classes helped us in getting a broad set non-zero” as “Maybe,” and all the re- below to get a feel for this process. of demographics. sponses resembling “I wouldn’t know First, I’ll talk about raw numbers. how to assess the odds of that” as “Un- 8) Do you think cryonics might work? For questions 8, 9, and 10, the responses sure.”) Question 9 elicited responses of can be grouped under four major cat- “Good Idea,” “Bad Idea,” “Other,” and Unsure No Maybe Yes egories. Questions 8 and 10 elicited re- again, “Unsure.” I tried to be very strict 5 11 26 25 sponses of “Yes,” “No,” “Maybe,” and in my assessment of the occasionally
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 27 10) If you felt that you could afford 9) What are your feelings about cryon- Unsure Bad Good Other cryonic suspension, would you sign up ics in general now? A good idea, a bad Idea Idea for it? idea, other? 3 7 31 26 Unsure No Maybe Yes 8 38 14 7 Questions Feasibility Good Idea/Bad Idea? Would you sign up? Certain things jump right out at me Generalized Maybe it might It’s a good idea. No, I won’t sign up. in these numbers. For one, of the Response work. folks in this data sample, 25 out of 67 said, “Yes cryonics might work,” Specific “I think that if people and 26 said, “Maybe cryonics might Responses want to try this and work.” Combined, that means 76% they have the money or our respondents give cryonics then more power to some chance of working. As I said them. But no, I don’t above, this contrasts sharply with the believe I would ever assertion that “No one thinks it will want to do this.” work.” One might argue that the ques- “Live today, not tion is not worded perfectly, since tomorrow.” we asked them “Do you think it might work?” as opposed to “Do you think Questions Feasibility Good Idea/Bad Idea? Would you sign up? it will work?” However, I don’t con- sider that much of a criticism; I (and Generalized Yes, it might work. My feelings about No, I won’t sign up. I suspect nearly all cryonicists) would Response cryonics are [other]. answer “Do you think it might work?” with “Yes” and “Do you think it will Specific “I think there are a lot work?” with “Maybe.” Responses of ethical issues we 76% thought it might work. That’s should deal with first.” astounding. And that is the main point of this article. Despite how few “Maybe “Personally, I would people are actually signed up for cry- somewhere down not be interested in the line. Too many being ‘brought back.’ onics today, a surprising percentage issues to be solved Frivolous.” of our random sample seemed to and overcome think it might work. Though creating yet.” a fully reversible procedure will defi- nitely help us advance our cause, “I think other medical “No, even though I clearly the lack of such a procedure concerns should have think this is ‘it’ to is not the only reason people aren’t higher priority.” life (no heaven, no signing up today. To answer that reincarnation, etc.), question, we’ll need to look deeper. when I die, I will have done enough The next set of information that in- in this life.” terests me is the relatively high num- ber of respondents who said they felt “I feel very neutral. I “No. I feel a need to cryonics was a good idea (31), the have no desire to live be able to move on relatively low number who were will- forever, but for those I don’t want to hang ing to say it was a bad idea outright who feel the desire, I in limbo for an (7), and the relatively low number of hope it does work.” indeterminate time.” respondents (7 — not the same 7 as previously) who would sign up for “For those who joined, cryonics if they felt they could af- I hope it works. I hope ford it. that someday it will be possible to bring these Combined with the previous results, people back.” I would infer the following statement
28 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 from our respondents: “It might work, Questions Feasibility Good Idea/Bad Idea? Would you sign up? it’s a good idea, but I probably won’t sign up.” Generalized Maybe it might It’s a bad idea. No, I won’t sign up. What’s going on here? Response work. The comments that go along with these raw numbers tell the tale. As I Specific “Possibly, but I “Again, I feel it’s said above, this block of three ques- Responses don’t think you wrong ethically.” tions seems to work well as a group. can take souls.” By correlating the answers to each of “I’m not for it because the three questions, we get slightly of religious beliefs.” more complex patterns that people tend to fall into. For example, no respondent answered “unsure” to all Questions Feasibility Good Idea/Bad Idea? Would you sign up? three questions. There were a small number who all agreed that they Generalized Unsure whether it My feelings about No, I won’t sign up didn’t think it would work, that it Response might work. cryonics are [other]. was a bad idea, and that they wouldn’t Specific “I’m not real sure. We sign up for it, and slightly fewer who Responses were put here to live said they think it might work, that it one life. If too many is a good idea, and that they’d prob- people do this and it ably sign up. Most respondents fall works it may into the mixed categories. overpopulate the earth In the diagrams from page 27 even more.” through page 30, I list most of the comments that reveal something Questions Feasibility Good Idea/Bad Idea? Would you sign up? about the person’s thoughts on cry- onics, organizing them into groups Generalized No, it might work. My feelings about No, I won’t sign up. based on the general answers given Response cryonics are [other]. to each of the three questions. We start with the most pro-cryonics Specific “The concept is good groups, and work our way down to Responses but I’m still doubtful the most anti-cryonics. about the unthawing part.” As you can see, we get the full range of comments here. In defer- “I think only God “I think it is ence to Saul Kent, I note first that can create a new interesting.” three different people do mention body for the new wanting to see the procedure work patients, not man.” before they have any interest in sign- ing up. (One person wants to see a “No interested. I’ll demonstration, another just says “if take my chances with it works” they’ll sign up, and one is eternal life.” still “doubtful about the unthawing “None, except it does “No. I am not afraid part.”) Some people clearly do con- seem a little self to die.” sider the technical feasibility a big centered on the part of issue preventing them from embrac- the patient.” ing current cryonics technology. These individuals are clearly in the minority. sion, and more research would help cry- it’s just not for them. Fear of separation In the most positive group, we see onics become commonplace over the from loved ones comes up, as does the comments that match the beliefs of long term. desire for confirmation that the proce- many cryonicists: our procedures would To me, the most interesting group dure works, familiar religious questions, certainly be more effective if clinical is the second one. They think it’ll work, and concern for the mental capacity of death were not a prerequisite to suspen- and they even think it’s a good idea, but reanimated patients. These comments
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 29 all match what we’ve been hearing from ing that it can be done has not caused are others around them who have also people for decades. people to be less afraid of it. To the signed up. The disproportionate growth Even in the other groups, we never contrary, more people are thinking about in areas of high cryonics activity, com- really see any novel issues. Based on cloning (and finding themselves afraid bined with the complete lack of mem- these surveys, as well as my experience of it) than ever before, exactly because bers in entire states of the U.S. high- with the public, let me suggest four of it might work. Why should cryonics lights the value of having cryonicists the most common, general reasons encounter less fear and opposition in a around for interaction with new pros- people don’t feel cryonics is for them similar situation? pects. (A confession: contrary to my (in no particular order): Even when we have achieved the statement at the beginning of the ar- reversible suspended animation that ticle, “Bob” is not the only person I can 1) Fear of separation from their time, Saul and I both want, the widespread remember who claimed technical peers, and loved ones. acceptance of biostasis will still require unfeasibility was his only reason for 2) Concerns about technical us to overcome many issues. Given that not signing up. The other person? His feasibility. likelihood, why should we focus on a son, of course. What does this tell us 3) Religious issues. single issue to the exclusion of all oth- about how people form their decisions?) 4) “Ethical” issues. ers? Shouldn’t we also be attacking the The long-term goal in growth and other reasons that may prevent people community building is to solve the prob- Certainly solutions to any of these prob- from embracing life extension in gen- lem of people feeling displaced from lems will have an effect on overcoming eral and cryonics in particular? Indeed, “their time.” The more of our loved the others, but I don’t believe that any if we can make some progress in those ones and peers who will take the ride one solution would eliminate all of other areas, increasing public interest with us, more comfortable we can ex- them. A reversible procedure would bol- in cryonics, won’t we also garner more pect to feel when we come back. Growth ster our case, but would it dissipate our potential donors and investors for our and community-building create a posi- fears centered around religion and the precious research projects? tive feedback loop that can only help ethics of reviving apparently dead In particular, besides research aimed us. We must capitalize where things are people? More importantly, would the at a fully reversible procedure, I be- good and cryonicists are relatively plen- certainty of reanimation reduce our fear lieve we need to continue to work on tiful, continue making our case to those of being lost and alone in a strange growth, and on emphasizing the “com- who aren’t so lucky in terms of geo- future? munity” in “cryonics community.” All graphic location, and continue trying to Consider the climate of fear sur- available evidence tells us that people have an effect on the cultural values rounding human cloning. Demonstrat- are more likely to sign up when there and mores that give people the idea that radical life extension is somehow Questions Feasibility Good Idea/Bad Idea? Would you sign up? bad. I appreciate what Saul is doing at Generalized No, it might work. It’s a bad idea. No, I won’t sign up. 21st Century Medicine, and I sup- Response port his efforts fully. I just don’t agree that an all-or-nothing strategy is Specific “I feel there are too what’s best for the cryonics move- Responses many ethical issues that are raised.” ment, “at this point in history,” or any time in the near future. We’ve “I would not want to be got a lot to do. Let’s all keep doing it frozen and have no in the best way we know how, play- desire to be brought ing to our strengths, diversifying ac- back to life after cording to our various interests and death.” aptitudes. That is the best strategy for turning “The Failure of the Cry- “I believe in the onics Movement” into “The Success immediate ascension of of the Cryonics Movement.” the soul and eternal life -- this ‘science’ goes against my value system. This is the ultimate form of denial.”
30 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 A Bibliography of Cryonics Fiction by Brian Shock
could start by suggesting that science fiction may help us explore, understand, and adapt to the future, but do I Ireally have to commit such an obvious rationalization? I simply enjoy reading science fiction, and I believe that many readers of Cryonics share this enthusiasm. Therefore, for the benefit of this group, I have tried to assemble a comprehensive list of novels that employ some form of cryonics or suspended animation as a major plot point. Please note: 1) I have focused on novels alone. Although several short stories are listed, the vast number of relevant candidates were beyond my current ability to compile. If I missed one of your favorites, please let me know. 2) Although countless novels mention cryonics, many (such as TekWar, by William Shatner, Neverness, by David Zindell, and The Silicon Man, by Charles Platt) use it only peripherally. For purely arbitrary reasons I have omitted them from this bibliography. (Sorry, Charles.) 3) The brief synopses after each title contain only as much information as I could glean on the fly. In most cases I actually read the novel, but I may have forgotten much of the plot or had little patience with a perfunctory storyline. And of course there were many for which I had to make guesses based on Grolier’s Online Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, cover blurbs, and the hearsay of acquaintances. 4) Thanks to Steve Jackson for motivating me to finish this project (which had remained at the bottom of my list for countless years), and thanks to Steve Bridge for his priceless library research.
Memoirs of the Year Two Thousand Five Hundred, by L.S. Mercier (1772) — Suspended animation sends someone to a utopian future.
Three Hundred Years Hence, by Mary Griffith (1836) — Suspended animation sends someone to a utopian future.
The Frozen Pirate, by W. Clark Russell (1887) — A pirate accidentally entombed in ice and revived years later.
Looking Backward, 2000-1887, by Edward Bellamy (1888) — Suspended animation sends someone to a utopian future.
Dix mille ans dans un bloc de glace (“10,000 Years in a Block of Ice”), by Louis Boussenard (1889) — a contemporary man visits the future after being accidentally frozen and revived.
“The Jameson Satellite” (short story) by Neil R. Jones (1931).
The Resurrection of Jimber Jaw, by Edgar Rice Burroughs (1937) — A satirical account of the revival of a prehistoric man and his experiences in the civilized world.
“The Penultimate Trump” (short story) by Robert CW Ettinger (1948).
A Door into Summer, by Robert Heinlein (1957) — An inventor is shanghaied into suspended animation by unscrupulous business associates.
Why Call Them Back From Heaven? by Clifford D. Simak (1967) — Imagines a time when a person can be
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 31 tried for delaying the freezing of a corpse, permitting “ultimate death,” and the financial estates of the frozen have become a political power-bloc, inviting criminal manipulation.
Zapiski iz budushchego (“Notes from the Future”), by Nikolai Amosov (1967) — A fictional examination of cryonics.
Bug Jack Barron, by Norman Spinrad (1969) — Set in a future where cryonics is taken for granted and millions of people are stored at the Rocky Mountain Freezer Complex.
Frysepunktet (“Freezing Point” or “Freezing Down”), Anders Bodelsen (1969) — A fictional examination of cryonics.
The Age of the Pussy Foot, by Fred Pohl (1969) — A man is frozen intentionally and revived in the future.
Vital Parts, by Thomas Berger (1970) — Berger is a mainstream novelist (Little Big Man, among other novels); a cryonicist is apparently a major character in this novel.
The Gods of Foxcroft, by David Levy (1970) — The cover blurb reads “Frozen alive of their own free will, they were reborn into an unimaginable future.”
Absolute Zero, by Ernest Tidyman (1971) — About a financier who builds up a vast cryonics industry.
The Ice People (Originally published in France, 1968) by Rene Barjavel (1971) — Frozen people from a “superior civilization that existed 900,000 years ago” wake up. Was a best seller of the time.
“Ozymandias” (short story) by Terry Carr (1972) — People who take to the cryonic vaults in order to avoid a war fall victim, like the mummified pharaohs of ancient Egypt before them, to professional “tomb-robbers.”
Looking Backward, by Mack Reynolds (1973) — A man is frozen intentionally and revived in a utopian future.
“The Defenseless Dead” (short story), by Larry Niven (1973) — Points out that the living have all the votes and that the dead might be an exploitable resource; it was Niven who first used in print Frederick Pohl’s term “corpsicles” to denote cryonics patients.
The Dream Millenium, by James White (1974) — Explores hypothetical psychological effects of long-term freezing.
“Doing Lennon” (short story) by Gregory Benford (1975) — An unfrozen John Lennon turns out not to be what he appears or aspires to be. (Obviously this one doesn’t make much sense anymore.)
The Long Sleep, by John Hill (1975) — A man awakes from suspended animation (which presumably involved freezing) and discovers he has lost his memories and identity.
Deep Freeze, by H. Walter Whyte (1977) — A standard revival tale where the hero must find his way in a world where he is not appreciated.
32 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 The Far Arena, by Richard Ben Sapir (1978) — A Roman gladiator is frozen accidentally and revived in modern times.
The Worthing Saga, by Orson Scott Card (1978) — A family’s patriarch is frozen and later revived after many generations to see the future he created.
The Forever Formula, by Frank Bonham (1979) — A truly disgusting, immoral juvenile novel in which the protagonist realizes that immortality is immoral and so thaws out a room full of cryonics patients (after rescuing his girlfriend, who was suspended “before her time”).
Sleeping Beauty, by L.L. Greene (Larry Levine and Steven Greene) (1982) — A newswoman has had her life saved by cryonics. She is the first successful revival — but something has gone terribly wrong.
Sun’s End, by Richard Lupoff (1984) — A far future story of suspended animation.
Between the Strokes of Night, by Charles Sheffield (1985) — Takes the notion of suspended animation to its logical extreme.
“. . . And He not Busy Being Born” (short story) by Brian M. Stableford (1987) — A bold entrepreneur who succeeds against the odds in delivering himself into a world of immortals finds that he still cannot evade his destiny
Freeze, by William Raynor and Myles Wilder (1988) — The cover blurb reads: “Freeze a human body? To what purpose? To what end? Read this shattering, shocking tale and find out.”
The Death of Sleep, by Anne McCaffrey and Jody Lynn Nye (1990) — A woman keeps getting frozen during space accidents, and subsequently spends all of her time adjusting to new societies.
The World at the End of Time, by Frederik Pohl (1991) — On a distant planet, the protagonist is dragged in and out of cryonic suspension numerous times, allowing him to see the rise and fall of various civilizations.
Chiller, by Sterling Blake (Gregory Benford) (1993) — Comprehensively (and very sympathetically) describes a near-future cryonics movement under threat from a serial killer.
Gun, with Occasional Music, by Jonathan Lethem (1995) — A Chandleresque private detective story set in a future where criminals are placed in cryonic suspension.
Tech Heaven, by Linda Nagata (1995) — (Reviewed in Cryonics, 1st Qtr 1996) — Told from the unique viewpoint of a woman who suspends her husband in the contemporary era, then fights many decades into the future to maintain his suspension and eventually reanimate him.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow, by Charles Sheffield (1997) — (Reviewed in Cryonics, 3rd Qtr 1997) A man places his terminally ill wife into cryonic suspension and then follows her. Initially, a retelling of the Orpheus myth.
The First Immortal, by James Halperin (1998) — (Excerpts printed in Cryonics, 1st Qtr 1998) If you don’t know about this one, you haven’t been paying attention.
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 33 “The Psychology of Death” by Michael Laprade (Experiences of a Guest Lecturer)
am a long-time, rather low-profile subject. I then laid into the meat of the I didn’t doubt the theoretical feasibility Imember of Alcor. I am a counselor in matter and covered what in my experi- of the option, I just chose to go with what a California state prison by vocation and ence were the most common objections. I felt was the least demanding projec- a performing Illusionist by avocation. I was not judgmental about others tion of an unproven technology. What I am not is an official spokes- choosing to avoid participation in our Overall, it went extremely well. I re- man for Alcor or any other cryonics or- great adventure, nor apologetic about emphasized that I was not recruiting for ganization; never have been and don’t my choice either. I didn’t mince words new members but only wished to make expect I ever will. I’ve never been in- or sugar coat anything. I didn’t try to them aware of cryonics; what they did terviewed regarding my involvement impress anyone with gory details that with this awareness was their choice. I with cryonics, nor written any articles would only serve to inflame those who closed the presentation by leaving my for newspapers or other publications on were ready to capitalize on anything that name and phone number and offered the subject. But several years ago I was could provide them an excuse for hys- myself as a resource if any additional reading the class synopsis in our local teria. I also made a point to allow plenty information was needed on the subject. University’s catalog and happened upon of time for questions and went to great I also left Alcor’s number if someone a class described as “The Psychology pains to leave an impression of a guy was interested in any literature. The in- of Death.” The class was to discuss not who was “normal,” had a sense of hu- structor was quite pleased, and I have only how we handle the loss of those mor, and a life outside of cryonics; I been invited back every quarter to ad- around us but also to explore the vari- didn’t want them to think they had just dress a new class. ous options we face in the disposition meet the local “Heaven’s Gate” rep. Cryonics is an extremely bold un- of our remains. By and large, their questions were dertaking with (as yet) but a small I didn’t want to be presumptuous, of the garden variety that anyone who chance of succeeding in my life cycle. I but I had a feeling that not all options has shared with the uninitiated would do not feel that I am part of any “lunatic were being adequately represented, if find all too familiar. No problem here; I fringe,” though, and I know that I can you know what I mean. So I picked up felt that I not only handled these ques- effectively communicate this feeling to the phone and offered to give the class tions very well but that I was in reason- those with whom I speak. People need a layman’s view of why I thought cry- able control of the situation. But then, to be able to identify with our members onics was a more than viable option to my surprise and chagrin, at least one if they are going to seriously consider worth considering. Somewhat to my of the students was familiar enough with taking such a bold step themselves. surprise, the instructor enthusiastically the subject to ask about the These ongoing lectures are the perfect accepted. Thus began my odyssey as a neurosuspension option. tool for me. guest lecturer. I explained that I was a whole body Over the years, I have read many Obviously, I wanted to have my act donor myself and didn’t personally sub- times about how we should all try to ini- together prior to showing up for this gig. scribe to that option. I went on to say tiate those around us regarding our cho- I began to assemble my thoughts and that to me, cryonics was a big enough sen option. I agree. I do think, however, my materials with the nagging fear that stretch without adding the additional that we need to find a format where we I might be setting myself up for an in- complications that neurosuspension can be comfortable and identify with our tellectual slaughter. I anticipated fierce would entail. chosen audience. For some, this will resistance, snickering, and perhaps even Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t take the form of media interviews. For outright ridicule. Nevertheless, I pas- downplay this option. I simply took the others it will involve talking to co-work- sionately believed in my subject matter position that, much like whole body ers. Others still will discover their own and I was determined to present it to the donors were “way out in front” of those unique circumstances for an opportunity best of my ability. If there were any who weren’t even signed up, “neuros” to share our vision. I know that I found “holes” in my position, I wanted to know were “way out in front” of whole body it important for me to articulate my po- about them. donors. Basically I said that I thought sition and to stand up and be counted. On the appointed day, I showed up neuro proponents were simply willing dressed casual/chic (upscale to look se- to place their bets on technological ca- rious but not a retentive business look), pabilities that were just too premature and began with a short history of the for my comfort level. I added that while
34 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 For The Record
The Seekers of Immortality: A Listing of Cryonics Patients with some Remarks on Growth of the Movement.
by R. Michael Perry, Ph.D.
wice before in this magazine I’ve from the data I have, and corrections tined to “deanimate” itself, before Tdone a listing of all persons up and emendations are of course wel- aging is conquered and biological to that time who were frozen for come.) I should remark here too that immortality is achieved. So we study possible reanimation. (Though most I’ve included everybody I have statistics of membership growth and of these are still frozen, a significant records of who was preserved in the like to see what prevailing trends, number, particularly from the early some manner, generally involving if any, can be discerned. One source years of cryonics, did not stay fro- low temperature storage, with argu- of data of this type, which does not zen.) The first report (Cryonics, Oc- ably the purpose in mind of return- seem to have been tapped and is tober 1990) listed 52 patients, though ing them to life in this world some- clearly relevant, is simply the rate at 4 minimally attested and doubtful day, if it becomes possible. Most of which people are entering suspen- cases were later dropped. The sec- these cases involve storage of the sion. In fact some interesting statis- ond report (Cryonics, July 1992) deanimated human, whole body or tics on the rate of suspensions are listed 63 patients. As of this writing, head only (neuro), in liquid nitro- obtainable from the listing of pa- some 6 years later, 43 more names gen, but I’ve included permafrost tients included here. In one study I are added to the list, to bring the and freezer storage too, the deciding chose the 5-year interval from Jan. total to 106. (I’ve made no new dis- factor being the intent that is in- 1966 through Dec. 1970 as a baseline coveries of people suspended on or volved (restoring someone to life in to compare with other intervals. before June 1, 1992, as covered in the future), rather than the likelihood There were 14 suspensions during the last report, nor have any more of success. (Even here there are one this time. In the next 5 years, from people been dropped; I did, how- or two marginal cases, e.g. Ms. 1971 through 1975, there were 8 ever, find a little more information Martinot in France, that I’ve given more, to total 22. On average then, on a few of the earlier cases. It is of the benefit of the doubt and in- in each of the five years from ’71 course possible that other freezings cluded.) through ’75 there was an increase by occurred that I haven’t recorded, or, Cryonics is our lifeboat, and we a factor of (22/14)1/5, for an annual probably less likely, some are still are concerned about its future. We percentage increase of 9.5. Similarly, recorded that didn’t really happen. wonder in particular if the move- we can determine an average, an- I’ve made the best judgments I could ment is growing or possibly des- nual percent increase over other time intervals by comparing the Start of Interval Total Previous End of Interval Total Suspensions Avg. % increase number of suspensions that Suspensions by end of interval per annum 1 Jan. 1971 14 31 Dec. 1975 22 9.5 had occurred by the start of 1 Jan. 1976 22 31 Dec. 1980 30 6.4 the interval with the number 1 Jan. 1981 30 31 Dec. 1985 34 2.5 that had occurred by the end 1 Jan. 1986 34 31 Dec. 1990 52 8.9 of the interval. Results are 1 Jan. 1991 52 31 Dec. 1995 89 11.3 shown in Table 1. 1 Jan. 1996 89 31 Aug. 1998 106 6.8 1 Jan. 1971 14 31 Aug. 1998 106 7.6 We see then that overall, since 1971, the number of Table 1. Average % increase in number of suspensions per year, using 5-year baselines.
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 35 people suspended each year has been Some of these we may hope will not around 8% of the number that had be too long in coming, though as already been suspended up to that usual there are few guarantees. (One point. During particular 5-year in- guarantee, however, is that the harder tervals this percentage, restricted to you work for and support efforts to the interval in question, has fluctu- bring about something you want, the ated somewhat as would be expected. more likely you will get it.) There was a low point in the early We’ve been considering our ’80s, possibly influenced by the suspendees in bulk, but cryonics pa- Chatsworth disaster. (Nine patients tients are people too, not just statis- of the Cryonics Society of Califor- tics, and we must not forget the hu- nia who were stored in a cemetery man dimension. Unfortunately, it vault in this Los Angeles suburb were will not be possible to do justice to James Bedford: thawed and lost in the 1970s; the this subject here, but the pictures The first controlled freezing. case came to trial in 1981.) After included with this article suggest a this came some “highs,” and more few highlights. In looking at these recently the rate seems to have settled generally happy faces, we must not back to roughly its average value. lose sight of the gravity of the issue In view of the small number of cryonics confronts, and the fact that cryonicists and suspensions, the an- it doesn’t always work out, even nual increase in suspensions is quite short term. (Two of the people modest. To get an idea of what it shown, in fact, did not stay frozen, might add up to over time, suppose as the table will verify.) it continued unchanged for 100 years, from Jan. 1971 through Dec. 2070. Suspension Patients At this rate, by then there will have To turn now to the table of sus- been 21,080 suspensions, impressive pension patients, a few words of ex- enough by our meager standards but planation will be useful. For the type insignificant compared to the world of suspension, W is whole body, N population. Unless the rate can be is neuro (head only), B is brain only. Genevieve de la Poterie: boosted considerably, cryonics is not (Cryonicists who do not choose the Frozen at 8. likely to have much impact in terms whole body option generally expect of alleviating death worldwide. Even to have their bodies rebuilt by clon- at the highest rate shown in the table ing-related or other procedures in the (11.3%), which yielded an increase future.) WF is whole body with stor- from 52 to 89 over 5 years, in 100 age at freezer temperature, above that years we would have only 651,420 of dry ice (–78°C or –109°F ) . WP suspensions, still not much compared is whole body permafrost storage. to the world population. Without The different storage and suspen- major and unprecedented changes in sion organizations are: AL—Alcor human thinking, it seems the world Foundation (suspension and storage); must pass us by—in its headlong BPI—BioPreservation Institute (sus- rush to oblivion. Of course, fore- pension), CC—Cryocare Equipment casting of this sort is hazardous. Corp. (suspension [straight freeze Among other possibilities, many only] and storage, active 1960s); positive things could happen to CI—Cryonics Institute (suspension Stanley Penksa: change the picture, everything from and storage); CS—CryoSpan (stor- Frozen at 99-1/2. reversible suspended animation to age); CSC—Cryonics Society of antiaging treatments that really work. California (suspension and storage,
36 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 CASE # DEANIMATION NAME/IDENTIFICATION SEX AGE SUSPENSION CURRENT SOURCES DATE STATUS CASE # DEANIMATION DATENAME/IDENTIFICATION SEX AGE SUSPENSION PRESENTSTATUS SOURCES 1 22 APR 19661 *[L.A. AREA] F 60s W/CC t(c. Early 1967) WFFM, C1, FWR.66.MAY 2 12 JAN 1967 BEDFORD, JAMES H. M 73 W/CSC W/AL WFFM, FWR.67.JAN 3 27 AUG 1967 PHELPS-SWEET, MARIE F 74 W/CSC t(c. 1971) CR.67.SEP.1, SA.119 (MRS. RUSS VAN NORDEN) 4 07 SEP 1967 NISCO, LOUIS T. M 78 W/CC t(c. 1971) FWR.68.FEB.1 DNM.69.JUL 13, LAT(81.JUN 14?) 5 28 JAN 1968 SCHULMAN, EVA F ELD W/CC t(c. 1971) FWR.68.MAY.5, O.70.DEC.4, C2 6 14 MAY 1968 KLINE, HELEN F * W/CSC t(c. 1971) CR.68.JUN.120, NA, C2 7 JUL 1968 KESTER, DONALD (SR.) M ELD W/CC t(c. OCT 1969) CR.68.SEP.166, CFDA.69.NOV-DEC.2 8 28 JUL 1968 MANDELL, STEVEN JAY M 24 W/CSNY t(c. OCT 1974) CR.68.SEP.162, NA, SAI, MSM, C2 9 06 SEP 1968 STANLEY, C. RUSSELL M * W/CSC t(c. 1971) CR.68.OCT.190, NA, C2 10 20 NOV 1968 MIHOK, ANDREW F. M 48 W/CSNY t(within hrs) CR.69.JAN.4 11 04 JAN 1969 DEBLASIO, ANN F 43 W/CSNY t(c. 1980) CR.69.FEB.2, BR(90.AUG 12) 12 14 MAR 1969 HURST, PAUL M. (SR.) M 62 W/CSNY t(c. FEB 1974) CR.69.MAR.6, C.98.3Q.41 13 MAY 1970 GREENBERG, HERMANN M 42 W/CSNY t(c. FEB 1974) O.70.DEC.4, TIC, C.98.2Q.16, C.98.3Q.41 14 20 SEP 1970 HARRIS, MILDRED E. F 55 W/CSC t(c. OCT 1974) O.70.OCT.1, TIC, NA, SAI, MSM 15 25 JAN 1972 DE LA POTERIE, GENEVIEVE F 8 W/CSC t(c. OCT 1974) O.72.FEB.1, NA, MSM 16 13 NOV 1972 * F 51 W/CSC t(c. 1980) O.72.NOV, O.72.DEC, O.73.JAN, C.81.MAR.4 17 10 DEC 1972 DOSTAL, CLARA F 60 W/CSNY t(1973) O.72.DEC, O.73.MAY, CDR, SB.81(JUN 06)D(3?) 18 04 FEB 1974 DEMAR, MARY J. F 75 W/TT W/CI O.74.MAR, RE 19 09 FEB 1974 * M 65 W/TT N/AL O.74.MAR, C.81.SEP.11f 20 10 APR 1974 BABURKA, MICHAEL (SR.) M 64 W/CSNY/ PR t(c. 1974) I.77.NOV.2, C.81.JUN.2, C2 21 11 OCT 1974 * M abt. 7 W/CSC t(02 APR 1979) O.74.NOV.1, VMN.95. 22 28 SEP 19752 LEDESMA, PEDRO M 62 W/CSC t(02 APR 1979) OMP, C2 23 16 JUL 1976 CHAMBERLAIN, FRED II M 79 N/AL N/AL I.76.SEP, MP 24 02 OCT 1976 WILSON, PATRICIA LUNA F 15 B/TT B/TT LER.307, LEM.77.MAR.18 25 23 SEP 1976 ETTINGER, RHEA CHALOFF F 78 W/CI W/CI CI BROCHURE, RE 26 14 JUL 1978 BERKOWITZ, SAMUEL M 76 W/TT t(late 1983) LLM.79.SEP.30, C.83.DEC.1 27 02 NOV 1978 * F 65 W/TT N/AL LLM.79.SEP.71, C86.APR.24 28 22 JAN 1979 ROTHACKER, LUCILLE F 76 N/TT N/CS TC.79.MAR, C.81.NOV.21, C2 29 15 JAN 1980 DEMAR, WILFRED J. M 79 W/TT W/CI C.85.NOV.13, RE 30 17 JAN 1980 FOOTE, JANICE F 36 W/TT N/CS SB.80.unk, C.84.SEP.16, C.85.NOV.13, C2, PW 31 02 FEB 1981 HIXON, HUGH L. (SR.) M 71 N/TT N/AL MP 32 1982 * M ELD B/PR * I.83.MAY.3 33 25 FEB 1984 MARTINOT, MONIQUE3 F 49 WF/PR WF/PR C.84.JUL.1, C.84.SEP, MP 34 12 FEB 1985 CANNON, THERESA M. F 68 N/AL N/AL C.86.FEB.17, SWB 35 08 JUN 1987 ROBERTSON, RANDALL B. M 29 N/AL N/AL C.87.AUG.14, MP 36 10 NOV 1987 ETTINGER, ELAINE F 65 W/CI W/CI C.87.DEC.1, I.87.DEC, RE 37 11 DEC 1987 KENT, DORA F 83 N/AL N/AL C.88.JAN.1, MP 38 12 MAR 1988 JONES, VIOLET F 87 W/TT W/CS C.88.APR.1, I.88.JUN, C.88. JUL.5, PW 39 Late MAR 1988 * M 85 WP/CSCN WP I.88.JUL, C2 40 08 MAY 1988 BINKOWSKI, ROBERT M 72 W/AL W/AL C.88.JUN.2 41 07 OCT 1988 SCHWARZ, ALICE M. F 78 N/AL N/AL C.88.NOV.15, MP 42 12 DEC 1988 JONES, RICHARD CLAIR M 57 W/AL W/AL C.89.JAN.2 43 21 MAR 1989 DONOVAN, EUGENE T. M 71 N/AL N/AL C.89.APR.1, MP 44 18 AUG 1989 * M 78 W/TT W/CS ACSJ.89.JUN, C2, PW 45 19 AUG 1989 COMOS, CRISTINA F 21 W/AL W/AL C.89.NOV.20, MP 46 06 NOV 1989 MORSTOEL, BREDO M 89 W/PR W/PR C.90.MAY.15, TB 47 09 MAY 1990 * F 60 W/AL t(MAY 1994)4 SWB, MP 48 09 JUN 1990 FRIED, ARLENE F. F 68 N/AL N/AL SWB, MP 49 22 JUN 1990 SCHIAVELLO, ROCCO M 30 W/AL W/AL SWB, MP (“ROY”) 50 29 SEP 1990 * F 76 W/PR W/CI TB, RE
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 37 CASE # DEANIMATION NAME/IDENTIFICATION SEX AGE SUSPENSION CURRENT SOURCES DATE STATUS CASE # DEANIMATION DATENAME/IDENTIFICATION SEX AGE SUSPENSION PRESENTSTATUS SOURCES 51 22 DEC 1990 * F 97 W/PR W/CI TB, RE 52 31 DEC 1990 * F 88 W/AL W/AL MP 53 13 MAR 1991 SHERRILL, FRED M 61 W/CI W/CI RE 54 JUN 1991 * F ELD WP/CSCN WP I.91.NOV, C2 55 10 JUL 1991 LEAF, JERRY D. M 50 W/AL W/AL MP 56 02 AUG 1991 * F 62 N/AL N/AL MP 57 07 OCT 1991 RUNKEL, WALTER M 75 W/CI W/CI I.91.OCT, I.91.NOV 58 29 NOV 1991 * F 80 W/TT W/CS C2, PW 59 12 DEC 1991 SALIN, PHILIP M 41 N/AL N/AL MP 60 07 JAN 1992 WHITE, SUSAN F 73 B/TT B/CS I.92.APR.5, I.92.MAY.8, PW 61 10 MAR 1992 *, CAROL F 42 W/TT W/CI C2, I.92.APR.7, RE 62 19 MAR 1992 * M 39 N/AL N/AL MP 63 01 JUN 1992 FRIEDMAN, MICHAEL L. M 38 W/AL W/AL MP 64 19 JUN 1992 * M 64 W/AL W/AL MP 65 24 JUN 1992 HOURIHAN, JAMES J. M 28 N/AL N/AL MP 66 24 AUG 1992 * F 50 W/CI W/CI RE 67 25 AUG 1992 MARSH, LYNNE F 70 W/TT W/CI RE 68 09 SEP 1992 ERFURT, JOHN C. M 58 W/CI W/CI RE 69 Abt. NOV 1992 * F ELD B/TT B/TT I.92.DEC.6 70 30 NOV 1992 AMLIN, CHARLES M 94 W/CI W/CI RE 71 01 FEB 1993 * M 48 B/AL B/AL MP 72 11 APR 1993 * M 37 N/AL N/AL MP 73 Late 1993 * M ELD B/* B/* MP 74 05 FEB 1994 WHITE, JEROME B. M 55 N/BPI N/CS I.94.APR.5 75 30 APR 1994 STEINBERG, LILLIAN F 91 W/AL W/AL I.94.JUN.2 76 06 MAY 1994 MARSH, RICHARD M 81 W/BPI W/CI I.94.JUL.9 77 13 SEP 1994 * F 75 W/CI W/CI RE 78 16 DEC 1994 FREDERICKSSON, HELMER M 71 W/CI W/CI RE 79 03 JAN 1995 GENTEMAN, PAUL F. M 47 N/AL N/AL I.95.APR5, MP 80 09 JAN 1995 BRADSHAW, MARGARET F 50 N/BPI N/CS I.95.MAR.4, PW 81 Abt FEB 1995 * F Child B/BPI B/CS I.95.APR.5 82 12 JUN 1995 EPSTEIN, ANATOL M 66 W/AL W/AL MP 83 08 AUG 1995 DICK, MONA K. F 72 N/AL N/AL MP 84 Late AUG 1995 * M * B/PR B/CS I.95.OCT.9 85 Abt SEP 1995 * * * B/BPI B/CS I.95.NOV.4 86 06 OCT 1995 FOOTE, ANDREA F 54 W/CI W/CI RE 87 03 NOV 1995 * F 100 W/CI W/CI RE 88 26 NOV 1995 PENKSA, STANLEY M 99 W/AL W/AL MP 89 12 DEC 1995 GALLAGHER, JAMES L. M 55 N/BPI N/CS CP 90 28 JAN 1996 * F 46 W/CI W/CI RE 91 05 MAR 1996 * M 48 W/AL W/AL MP 92 08 MAR 1996 * F 86 W/CI W/CI RE 93 17 APR 1996 * M 75 W/CI W/CI RE 94 16 MAY 1996 POPPER, HENRIETTA F 80 N/BPI N/CS CP 95 02 AUG 1996 CORNELIUS, WALTER M 74 W/CI W/CI RE 96 19 OCT 1996 * F 82 N/AL N/AL MP 97 08 FEB 1997 KUHRT, EDWARD M 65 N/AL N/AL MP 98 20 FEB 1997 CANNON, JOSEPH G. M 81 N/AL N/AL MP 99 04 MAR 1997 DEMAR, ERIC S. M 72 W/CI W/CI RE 100 14 DEC 1997 * F 38 W/PR * MP 101 29 DEC 1997 GRUENLER, HORST M 92 W/CI W/CI RE 102 24 MAR 1998 * F 83 W/CI W/CI RE 103 07 MAY 1998 * M 53 W/CI W/CI RE 104 29 MAY 1998 * F 54 W/CI W/CI RE 105 04 JUN 1998 MATIC, NATASHA F 88 W/CI W/CI RE 106 1998 * * * * * CP
38 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 active 1960s-’70s); CSCN—Cryon- SA = Suspended Animation by Rob- ics Society of Canada; CSNY (sus- ert Prehoda: WFFM =We Froze the pension and storage,active 1960s- First Man by Robert F. Nelson and ’70s); TT—Trans Time (suspension Sandra Stanley. (2) Article: TIC = and storage). Other cryonics-related The Iceman Cometh by Clifton D. organizations that do not practice ei- Bryand and William E. Snizek. So- ther suspension or storage are not ciety Nov.-Dec. 73. 3) Periodicals: included, e.g. American Cryonics ACSJ = American Cryonics Society Society and the modern CryoCare. Journal; C = Cryonics: CFDA = Cali- Actually there are some simplifica- fornia Funeral Directors’ Associa- tions here in the interest of clarity. tion Newsbulletin; CR = Cryonics CSC didn’t practice suspension or Reports; DNM = Detroit News storage, but only its sister organiza- Magazine. FWR = Freeze-Wait-Re- tion Cryonic Interment (same initials animate; I = The Immortalist; LEM Ann DeBlasio: as Cryonics Institute). For CSNY it = Life Extension Magazine; LLM = A priest consecrated her capsule. was its sister organization Cryo Span Long Life Magazine; O = The Out- that did the actual suspensions and look; TC = The Cryonicist; VMN = storage (a different organization from Venturist Monthly News. (4) News- the more recent and currently active papers: BR = The Berqen Record: CryoSpan). When a suspension has LAT = Los Angeles Times; SB = terminated, usually through simple The Sacramento Bee. (5) Court thawing and burial, this is signified Documents: CDR = Complaint for by “t” with the approximate date in Declarative Relief. Halpert et al. v. parentheses. Unavailable or missing Nelson et al. Los Angeles Superior data is signified by an asterisk (*). Court Case C-161229, 18 May 1976; Sources of information and other N.A = Appellant Robert F. Nelson’s notes are given at the end. For their Settled Statement on Appeal. 2nd help in assembling the information Civil no. 63721 (for Superior Court on more recent cases I would espe- Case C-161229. Los Angeles cially like to thank Robert Ettinger, County), 20 May 1982; SAI = Terri and Joe Cannon. Not the Charles Platt, Christopher Rasch, and Supplemental Answers to Interroga- only married couple who have Paul Wakfer. tories. Los Angeles Superior Case chosen cryonics. C-161229, 22 Jul. 1980, p. 14. (6) Persons: TB = Trvgve Bauge; SWB = Steve Bridge: MP = Mike Perry: CP = Charles Platt; PW = Paul NOTES: Wakfer (7) Misc.: C1 = Memo trom 1Date of freezing in this case. Ted Kraver C2 = confidential 2Freezing did not occur until about sources: MSM = Minutes of special 26 Jul. 1976. meeting of board of directors of Cry- 3Monique Martinot (France) is still onics Society of California, 11 Oct. being maintained, apparently, by her 1974. OMP = Cemetery records of husband Dr. Raymond Martinot.. Oakwood Memorial Park, 4Her will, upheld in the California Chatsworth, Calif. courts, stipulated that she not be “cre- mated or frozen.” Photo credits. Ann Deblasio: Immor- tality, Apr. 1970 4; Genevieve de la Jerry Leaf: Soldier of fortune Sources: (1) Books: LER = The Life Poterie: The Outlook, Aug. 1971 who became a pioneering, Extension Revolution by Saul Kent: cover; the rest: Alcor Foundation. life-extension scientist.
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 39 Review: Nonfiction
Eve of Destruction: Prophecies, Theories, and Preparations for the End of the World by Eva Shaw, Contemporary Books, Chicago 1996
Reviewed by Thomas Donaldson, PhD
More and more frequently we may have occurred regularly for the last tians. Other than in a symbolic sense, notice individuals who stand on 2000 years. Some cults leave their no cryonicist believes that we will street corners (metaphorically speak- claim at that, with no date; others see the End of the World. However, ing) and proclaim loudly that the have leaders who dare to name a Shaw also discusses another class of End of the World is near, if only particular date. It’s interesting that such beliefs, those directed toward a because we are at the end of another usually, when that date passes, the New Age. Many prophets, clairvoy- millenium. From time to time, we leaders of these latter cults merely ants, numerologists, and UFO wor- may also hear cryonicists named as provide another date, giving various shippers don’t believe in an End of kin to such crackpots. excuses for their mistake. Their fol- the World either. Instead, they be- I myself am partially guilty of lowers often believe them and con- lieve that we are approaching a spe- making this accusation, when I com- tinue to wait. cial threshold time, one in which pare beliefs by some cryonicists Apparently the early Christians humanity will go through an evolu- about nanotechnology (without capi- believed widely that the End of the tionary leap to a new stage. This tals) to millenarian ideas, and refer World would come soon after idea sounds a good deal more famil- to it as a belief in Nanotechnology Christ’s crucifixion. Just as with iar, though the instances Shaw dis- (capitalized). Since I’ve never looked other later cults, when this didn’t cusses don’t look familiar at all: a closely into millenarianism, I de- happen, believers continued to be- Moira Timms who believes that cided to read a bit more about it. The lieve, simply rewording their pre- UFOs have come on a heroic mis- book named above was my intro- dictions. This was done by putting sion to save us from ourselves, Baird duction to that area. the date further into the future, or as Wallace, who claims to have been Basically Shaw goes through all many establishment denominations channeling information about our the different cults, Christian and non- have done since, by interpreting the future evolution from the Space Christian, which have at one time or End in more symbolic terms. Brothers, and others. It’s critical here another claimed that the world would End of the World myths usually that the change occur suddenly. The soon end and we must prepare our- include more than simply an end to notion that at some near future in- selves for the coming of that end. the world. Often there is a period of stant we will all change suddenly Although she does make a few bows grace and happiness which lasts for into a new form of humanity, with to non-European traditions, her dis- various lengths of time: the chosen enhanced mental and physical pow- cussions center mainly on Christian ones live on into this era, which ends ers, begins to sound like some of the beliefs and (more recently) New Age with the passage of all to Heaven. less insightful ideas about beliefs, both of which are European. The judgment and damnation of non- Nanotechnology. Her book also gives a nice summary chosen ones may occur at any time The other side of a cultish belief of these predictions in its final chap- in this sequence, depending on the in sudden transformation is the idea ter, starting with AD 156 and ending cult in question. that changes we see today have little with AD 2050. I would hardly claim that believ- relation to the “true” change to come, Claims that the End was near ers in Nanotechnology are Chris- or may actually distract us from it.
40 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 Relating back to nanotechnology, these developments and preach a fu- deserve this title. note that we already have signifi- ture major (and sudden) advance in So, does Eva Shaw’s book tell cant abilities to work with matter on technology that will bring sudden us something about (at least some nanolevels: such abilities have grown changes in society, beliefs, and the of) ourselves? You must decide for floridly in biotechnology, and scien- human condition. Naturally the yourself. tists working with semiconductors aforementioned precursor develop- are already thinking seriously about ments do not merit the name how to make future nanosized cir- “nanotechnology”; only full-blown cuits. Some members of the cryon- nanomachines (with nano-sized ics community, however, ignore gears, gear shafts, and the like) truly
Review: Nonfiction
The Garden in the Machine: The Emerging Science of Artificial Life by Claus Emmeche, transl. Steven Sampson Princeton University Press, 1994
Reviewed by Thomas Donaldson, PhD
Many cryonicists are professional game between players, but a system ingly, such simple rules produce a computer scientists or have other designed to show some of the at- very wide variety of behavior, quite close connections to computers. tributes of life in a universe stripped unpredictable at first. Various place- They will have heard about artificial to essentials. Basically, we have an ments make systems which die out, life and genetic programming, two infinite checkerboard starting with or end up in a repetitive loop. Other major subjects discussed in this book. pieces placed on various squares. The ways of placing pieces create self- Cryonicists who have not will learn player (or rather, programmer) es- reproducing systems which persist at least what these subjects are about tablishes laws by which each suc- indefinitely. when they read it. The book (trans- cessive stage of the game is found. And from this comes the very lated from Danish) does not deal with A position on the checkerboard is first question: is a self-reproducing the details involved in either either on or off (on positions have a setup of this kind to be considered Conway’s Game of Life (the first piece placed on them, off positions alive? Proponents claim that they version of artificial life produced) or are bare). A position is turned on if have created a true form of life; oth- other related questions. Instead it three adjacent positions are on. It ers dissent from that idea. Emmeche deals with the broader issues raised remains on until two or more adja- discusses both opinions*. On the side by Artificial Life (AL) and other such cent positions are turned off. We against the idea that some of these technologies. think of these rules as the “chemical creations are “alive” comes the The Game of Life is not really a laws” of an artificial universe. Amaz- simple observation that they are en-
* My own opinion is that computer viruses do satisfy any reasonable test for life, because they occur in real computers. Creatures in Conway’s Game of Life and other such systems remain simulations only — which does not impugn their value for understanding life forms.
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 41 tirely digital; their interaction is en- cause we had the complete explicit selection between programs, retain- tirely symbolic. On the other hand, plans for a human being in our genes, ing those which do best on a given even the simplest physical living but because our genes happened to problem, and then producing sev- creatures must deal with the real produce a human being as a conse- eral generations of programs along world and respond to it in quence of their actions. these successful lines. In each gen- nonsymbolic ways. What’s the dif- This process is easier to under- eration, programs doing the best are ference? A real living creature might stand when we think of all the ways preserved and even combined (the move its legs, while a computer ver- in which different forms may come genetic word for this is “crossing sion of that creature (with lots of not from direct plans but by interac- over”), after which they go through graphics software) could only pro- tion. For instance, crystals form in a another round of selection. This pro- duce an image of something moving particular pattern because of their cess turns out to be quite efficient in its legs. (Note here that there is no environment, not because they some- generating good solutions to specific claim that “real living creatures” how store plans of their final shape problems. must have the same metabolism as within themselves. Emmeche con- Emmeche also discusses several any present earthly creature.) One siders this process in life forms as other programming approaches, each major feature of AL is its reproduc- quite unknown and unstudied. I must of which uses ideas in the construc- tion (Emmeche points out that so far add here that all the extensive work tion of life forms either to explain we have not produced one self-re- on such issues as the growth and the behavior of living things or re- producing machine in the real world). development of fruit flies has by now produce it. One such program, for Self reproduction can involve many resulted in much increased under- instance, shows how flocking might different steps. Besides using the standing of these processes in living arise in birds. Others look at evolu- Game of Life, Emmeche also dis- creatures. (We may come to under- tion in an array of artificial crea- cusses the original plans of von stand even the growth and develop- tures. Such programs show many Neumann himself for a self-repro- ment of human beings relatively patterns noticed in the evolution of ducing machine, the first detailed soon.) Even so, the major point — real living things. plans for cellular automata (CAs). that our genes do not contain an ex- The book never gives any firm (Von Neumann’s original plans were plicit plan for us — remains valid. answer as to whether the Game of finished by another researcher, In this sense, von Neumann’s ma- Life actually involves “living crea- Arthur Burks, after Von Neumann’s chine misses one major feature of tures” in any sense; it merely de- death. Burks also showed that these most present life forms. scribes many different strands of pro- cellular automata could be imple- Intellectually it’s easy to sepa- gramming that orbit around the be- mented on a computer, again not rate the “blueprints” for a creature havior of life forms. Since even the with real reproduction but computer- from the processes creating it. The simplest life forms (not to mention simulated reproduction). Of interest actual construction of living crea- human beings) have much more is the stated belief of von Neumann tures, however, mixes up blueprints complexity than any computer pro- himself about his creation: his de- and construction. In light of this, we gram to date, relatively accessible sign may well have ignored some of can definitely state that living crea- artificial systems may teach us a the major features of real living crea- tures at all like us (perhaps even good deal — either new ways to tures. living creatures at all) could easily solve our computer problems, or new Unlike von Neumann’s machine, form from arbitrary materials. When understanding of why life forms be- we and other living creatures do not we speak of simulations in a ma- have as they do. have a system able to produce what- chine, the validity of the term “alive” ever creature is exactly specified by is far from a trivial question. our genes. In virtually all cases, ani- Emmeche’s book also describes mals grow into their particular forms “genetic programming,” using evo- as the result of complex interactions lutionary processes to find programs between many gene products, with that solve hard problems (for which no genes dictating the form itself. no polynomial algorithm exists). To We grew into human beings not be- do this, we first set up a form of
42 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 Review: Nonfiction
Cheating Death: The Promise and the Future Impact of Trying to Live Forever by Marvin Cetron and Owen Davies St. Martin’s, New York 1998.
Reviewed by Mike Perry, PhD
his book attempts a sober forecast already living longer than was antici- immortality requires firm support if it Tof the near-term future, based on a pated when such programs as Social is to be taken seriously” (p.2). A major premise that will be familiar and wel- Security were put into effect in the early part of the “firm support,” scientific come to immortalists but has been ig- part of this century. Even now there are evidence as to the cause and possible nored by most others: that significant more and more people approaching the cure of aging, is examined in Chapter 1. extension of the human lifespan is just age of benefits, and relatively fewer to And here, I think, a significant error is around the corner. The authors estimate pay the taxes that will support them. made, with a claim that research with that by 2015 at the latest, treatments This trend can only continue, and with melatonin has achieved “a crucial break- will be available to lengthen our healthy, the advent of life extension, it will ac- through” in understanding the aging pro- productive years by several decades, so celerate considerably. If you aren’t go- cess. Mice, it’s true, live longer in bet- that today’s Boomer generation can ex- ing to reach retirement age by 2010, ter health on melatonin, but it’s not pect to stay active until at least age 110 say the authors, you will probably never clear that they experience any reversal or so. The extra time, moreover, will collect on Social Security. Similarly, of aging at the molecular level. Seen in open the possibility of further advances other retirement programs are not go- context, this problem is minor. The more in understanding and preventing the ag- ing to prove adequate, so people will important point noted by the authors is ing process, so we could find our lives continue working into their eighties and that we are learning more about aging extended indefinitely. Though certainly nineties, and may never find the oppor- all the time, and the day is probably not the overall prospects are optimistic, life tunity to retire. too far off when we will control and extension will create a host of prob- Such problems do, of course, have reverse its effects in a major way. lems. a considerable silver lining, in that the Again, this could occur as soon as One problem is simply that we have, ancient scourge of aging will diminish 2015 or earlier, arriving in time to save up to now, ordered our lives around the and, one hopes, disappear altogether. many of us in cryonics. This is just fine inevitability and predictability of our Health costs will increase for a while, if it happens, of course, but meanwhile, deaths. Some people could find it quite then decline — and keep on declining. why not arrange for freezing in case it disturbing that this is no longer so. (This Older people, in unprecedented good takes longer, or you die sooner? Cryon- should not apply to a true cryonicist, of health, should be able to acquire new ics is one part of life extension that is course, but then we are a small minor- skills and knowledge, and will mean- not mentioned at all in the book. Though ity.) Two other staples of life, birth and while have special value for their greater one might wish otherwise, in a way this procreation, lose much of their relevance expertise and experience. Among the is actually reassuring, since it shows without death. As the authors maintain, significant changes in work habits, vis- that interest in life extension is perco- we will need a whole new set of values. ible in present trends, will be an increas- lating outside of cryonics as well as Meanwhile, we can expect some diffi- ing number of self-employed individu- within our small movement. We may cult adjustments along with the evident als who use computers and work out of hope this trend will grow along with benefits. their homes. other progress. One difficult adjustment may fol- For all the optimism of their basic low because the labor force will swell premise, the authors also respect the with life-extended persons who did not gravity of their subject, and remind the die or retire “on schedule” as with reader early on that “the claim that we former generations. In fact, people are will soon gain something approaching
4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 43 The Donaldson Perspective
Cryonics, Immortality, and Social Disruption
by Thomas Donaldson, Ph.D.
ome cryonicists quite plainly be- can Scientist several years ago illus- ages, but only careful statistical studies Slieve that the advent of fully per- trated this well: one scientist turns to would show this. fected means for cryonic suspension will another and says, “Well, maybe this Then too, immortality treatments cause lots of social disruption: mobs formula will bring immortality, but will not obtain consent for tests from hunting for scapegoats in the street, leg- we’ll need forever to test it!” the authorities for many years, if not islation against cryonics by various law- The first indications of such an “im- many decades. The US FDA, for in- making bodies, police crackdowns, etc. mortality” treatment would come from stance, has very rigid ideas about what Such events will provide ample scope people who seemed to rejuvenate. Even must be done to test a new drug. If a for those who wish to exercise their so, laymen and scientists alike would drug was designed only to act on aging, traditional heroism: the brave cryonicist probably conclude the effect of that the tests required would take 30 years; holding off police for long enough to treatment was merely cosmetic. After if it acted on other conditions, then its hide a carefully suspended member; all, actors right now use various opera- effect on aging would remain problem- ringing statements in court proceedings; tions to look younger, and no one be- atic. This does exclude the possibility and countless dramatic events of the lieves those operations have more than of someone obtaining and using such kind we see in many contemporary a cosmetic effect. If rejuvenated im- treatments; they would simply do so films. mortals appeared tomorrow, the public without the umbrella of authority (com- However, a strong case exists that might still take as much as 30 years to plicating statistical analysis of the treat- neither cryonics nor immortality will realize that our hypothetical immortal- ments’ efficacy). cause much social disruption (of this ity treatment actually worked on aging. I actually believe this process has kind) at all. Certainly they will cause The second indication of such an already begun. Those interested in drugs lots of rethinking and changes, but that immortality treatment would be people which may work against aging will have will happen over a period long in terms who did not age at all. Of course aging, to decide to take them even though no of present human lifespan. (Yes, a his- again, is a relatively slow process. If legal authorities have agreed that they torian looking back might see it as sud- our test subjects took their treatments work. Such a slow, undocumented pro- den, but historians even now happily at a young age, 50 years might pass cess is simply not the sort of thing that collapse centuries into a single period before anyone were convinced that the leads to film heroics. such as “the Middle Ages” or “Classi- treatments’ effects are more than cos- Cryonics has similar problems. cal Times”). metic. (Since most readers of Cryonics be- Most social disruption of the vio- The argument above also makes a lieve in the ability of technology to solve lent kind happens because of sudden strong assumption: that a single treat- many problems currently thought un- changes. As much as we’d like to get ment is discovered which does the whole solvable, some of you may not see this both cryonics and immortality tomor- job. Technology rarely works that way. immediately.) Cryonics depends not just row (if not sooner), by their nature nei- Instead, we are far more likely to see on the ability to freeze and revive a ther can arrive suddenly. better and better treatments that even- seriously ill patient, but also the ability Immortality provides the easiest tually end with agelessness. Along the to cure the patient’s illness. However, example. Let us suppose for a moment way, individuals taking the treatments there is a widespread public belief that that some laboratory discovers a treat- look better than those who do not, but some illnesses are simply not curable. ment which totally abolishes and re- many of those treated may still die of This belief may not disappear suddenly. verses aging. A cartoon in The Ameri- old age. True, they might die at higher Even if one patient is revived and cured,
44 Cryonics • 4th Qtr, 1998 there will remain many others in sus- cryobiologist, an opponent of cryonics, vived — but if you are not, then you pension with conditions which the medi- who believes that cryonic suspension will notice little change.) cine of that time will not know how to will not become medically acceptable By their nature, both immortality cure. Those few revived can easily be until “someone has been frozen, revived, and cryonics will creep up on us, rather shrugged off as “very lucky but very and made immortal” (my italics). than arriving suddenly with brass bands unusual.” Ettinger (rightly!) considers such an at- roaring out an anthem. Both will be And remember that agelessness is titude insane. It’s easy to forget that revolutions, but revolutions of a gradual, one of the primary aims of those sus- this cryobiologist is simply stating the subtle kind. Such changes very rarely pended. The previously discussed prob- requirements the FDA makes on any cause much coherent opposition until lems with immortality treatments ex- medical treatment. Even with fully per- they are complete . . . and by then, no tend to cryonics patients as well. Even fected suspension, for a very long time one would even think of opposing them. with fully perfected suspension, 50 years we may still find ourselves working or more might pass before we could only with patients who have been de- offer permanently effective life-exten- clared “dead.” (If you are a cryonicist, sion treatments to cryonics patients; you will know that the Declaration of many of these individuals might prefer Death is a quasi-religious ceremony to remain in suspension until then. which says nothing, even now, about Bob Ettinger has spoken of one whether or not the patient can be re-
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4th Qtr, 1998 • Cryonics 45 TechNews
This and That
by Stephen J. Van Sickle
How to Uncook an Egg succeeded in creating a single-molecule ro- smooth, needle-like crystals that grow up to Proteins are the very stuff of life, and I tor rotating within a bearing. The single ten times as fast. Varying the field strength personally like it when mine continue work- molcule, composed of only a few dozen hy- changes the growth in a predictable man- ing properly. A lot can happen to a protein, drogen and carbon atoms, was demonstrated ner. Yes, yes, “smooth” and “needlelike” are though, and it doesn’t take much (heat, by scanning tunneling microscope to rotate not necessarily the adjectives cryonicists chemicals, or even just shaking) to cause freely, driven by thermal energy at room might want to use for describing ice crys- them to unravel and clump together in a temperature. (Science, Vol. 281, p. 531). tals, but the researchers feel that this new tangled mess. This is what happens when There are two ways to build a technique will lead to a better understand- an egg is cooked; the protein rich whites link nanomachine. One way is by building it bit ing of the basic process of crystal growth. It together into a firm, white mass. Not by bit. The other is by being extremely clever also leads to the wild speculation on my part suprisingly, much the same sort of thing and designing it so that the parts, as they are that some combination of electric and mag- happens during cerebral ischemia and ex- randomly jostled around, assemble them- netic fields could effect crystal growth in a posure to cryoprotectants, so it would be nice selves. This latter method is how life does fashion beneficial to us. Well, maybe not. to be able to “uncook” an egg. Well, John things, and so a great deal of attention has (Science News, Vol. 154, p. 23 and Physi- Glover and Susan Lindquist of the Univer- been given to using DNA to design and build cal Review Letters, July 6, 1998) sity of Chicago may have a way. In their machine and computer parts. Researchers at experiments, these researchers worked with the California Institute of Technology and Rotary Rocket the protein luciferase — the stuff that makes New York University have succeeded in de- Begins Construction fireflys glow. They unravelled the protein, signing and growing periodic DNA crystals The Roton, a revolutionary (pun in- and exposed it to various combinations of on a two dimensional surface in two distinct tended) new single-stage-to-orbit spacecraft striped patterns. Since it is relatively easy “heat shock” proteins from yeast. (Cells try designed by the Rotary Rocket Company to protect themselves from damage by pro- to “program” DNA molecules with a spe- and mentioned in an earlier column, has ducing these types of proteins.) Glover and cific sequence, this points the way towards begun construction at the facilities of Scaled Lindquist discovered that Heat Shock Pro- being able to specifically design shape and Composites in Mohave, California. Kero- pattern of the DNA on a surface, perhaps as tein 104, in combination with HSP 70 and sine tanks have already come out of the HSP 40, not only prevented tangles, but also computer components or scaffolding for molds, and the molds for an oxygen tank unknotted them and helped them fold nor- other structures. (Nature, Vol. 394, p. 539) and airframe are almost finished. Ground mally. Now if only they’d turn that ham- testing of components for the new rotating burger back into cow.... (New Scientist, 18 Growing Ice Crystals rocket engine, including live firings of the July 1998 and Cell, Vol. 94, p. 73.) in Electric Fields main thrusters and attitude control rockets, Everyone knows what an ice crystal are well underway. This is starting to look Nanotechnology looks like — even in the South you’ve at less and less like a paper bird and more like The nanomachine approach to least seen a picture of a snowflake. One can the Real Thing. Now the question is: can nanotechnology is based on the notion of say these crystals are a cryonicist’s enemy; Alcor’s CryoTransport Team come get me atomically sized and precise machines not the whole point of cryoprotectants is to re- on the Moon? too different from the ones around us in our duce their numbers and the damage they daily life. Wheels, axles, and rotating bear- cause. Well, it is a good thing to know one’s This column consists of items that I ings are indispensible parts of these ma- enemy, and a team at the California Insti- happen to run across and personally find in- chines. Some biological systems use rotat- tute of Technology has come up with an in- teresting. If you’d like to help, you can give ing systems (such as flagellar motors in mi- teresting tool for studying ice crystal growth me more interesting news items by email to croorganisms), but these are relatively large systematically. [email protected]. and complex. Now, however, scientists at A strong electric field created by the tip IBM’s Zurich Research Laboratory have of a charged needle has resulted in long,
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