Understanding Cryonics – Part 1 – Good Science? Or Science Fiction?
Article first published as <a href=’<a href=”http://technorati.com/technology/article/understanding-cryonics-part-1-real-science/” target=”_blank”>http://technorati.com/technology/article/understanding-cryonics-part-1-real-science/</a>’>Understanding Cryonics – Part 1 – Real Science? Or Science Fiction?</a> on Technorati.
In this, the first in a series of feature articles I will be publishing on the topic of cryonics, we will look at the very basics of the technology and dispel many of the common myths regarding the ‘fantasy’ of cryonic suspension and re-animation.
First, to get rid of the most commonly perceived myth, no, Walt Disney was NOT cryonically suspended. In fact, his body (including his head – more on the significance of this later) was cremated and his ashes set to rest at the now infamous Forrest Lawn Cemetery in rural Los Angeles; very close to the final resting place of pop icon Michael Jackson.
The most notable person who was cryonically preserved is former baseball legend, Ted Williams. After his death in 2002, his head was surgically removed and preserved using one of the fascinating cryotechnologies called neurosuspension, which we will begin to explore now.
There are two basic types of cryonic suspension: full-body suspension, and suspension of only a subject’s head, commonly referred to as neurosuspension. The goal of Full-body suspension is typically to revive the subject at a future time, when the affliction which set about their cardiac arrest is cured and it is reasonably deduced that they could regain a seemingly normal life.
The goal of neurosuspension is to preserve only the brain with the hope that once human cloning technology is perfected and commonplace in our society, the subject’s DNA can be used to clone a new body and that the memories, emotions, and personality of the suspended brain can be placed into the healthy clone.
Sound far fetched? Maybe. But, before we jump to conclusions, we should at least take a much closer look at the science and technology behind cryonics so that we can make an informed and educated opinion on the subject, right? After all, the science is very real and the technology to suspend people does exist and is, in fact, in practice all over the world.
Are those people signing up to be frozen (or worse, decapitated then frozen)all crazy? Are the doctors and scientists that spend and dedicate their lives to this science nuts too?
In order to properly examine the reality of cryonics and all of the elements that go into a successful suspension, we have to understand the legality of the field and the science that drives it. Foremost in this discussion, we must understand that it is against the law to cryonically suspend any human before they are legally dead – and yes, there are (at least from strict legal and medical viewpoints) several different types of death.
Legal death occurs anytime the heart stops. This is an important distinction because there are thousands of people who legally die and are brought back by medical science everyday through the use of defibrillators, bypass machines, pacemakers, and even good old fashioned CPR.
Clinical death, or total death, as it is sometimes referred to, does not occur until all brain function stops. This is the point where most medical professionals agree any attempt at resuscitation is futile since irreparable brain damage is likely to have occurred due to a prolonged lack of oxygen and/or blood circulation.
These definitions lay the platform that allows hope for the science of cryonics. The science thrives because it is believed that by properly preserving a human body at or just after the time of legal death, successful reanimation can be achieved, provided no irreversible damage is done to the cells, organs, brain, or nervous system of the subject during suspension. The preservation process, called vitrification within the industry, is the key to having any hope of successful resuscitation.
Because it is so crucial that no physical damage be done to the subject body during vitrification, the subject is not simply dipped into a vat of liquid nitrogen at the time of death. While this would immediately cease all cellular degeneration and preserve the body without further decay, it would not prevent the water content in the body from forming ice crystals which could expand causing catastrophic and irreparable damage to veins, cells, and organs. Therefore, as part of the vitrification process, shortly after a declaration of legal death, doctors immediately begin removing the water from the subject body and replacing it with a glycerol-based chemical, called a cryoprotectant. This ‘human anti-freeze’, has proven far more efficient at preserving the intricacies of the human body during suspension then did the earliest methods used. It is also sadly the reason why the people suspended earliest in the science’s history, are far less likely to ever be successfully revived, and why most scientists and cryobiologists believe any attempts at future revivals will be done on a last in, first out basis. Not because a longer period of suspension would be any more detrimental to the revival efforts, but because earlier subjects were not preserved using the methods now known to prevent crystallization during suspension and therefore have much less chance of being revived without fatally catastrophic physical damage being done to the body.
Now that we know what cryonics is, what it hopes to accomplish, and how a subject is prepared, my next article will focus on the process of vitrification and the storage of the subjects. The third article in this series will detail the storage facilities themselves, as well as the future of nanotechnology and how it is expected to revolutionize the prospect of revivals. The forth and possibly final article in this series, will recap what we know, highlight any other potential future breakthroughs in the science or the technology that drives it, and divulge when the first human revivals might be realistically expected. I hope you’ll join me for each of them as we explore this fascinating science and what miraculous possibilities successful cryonics could unleash for mankind.
About the Author
Dorian Lassiter is the author of numerous articles, short stories and suspense novels. He is the divorced, 39 year old father of 3, and currently lives in New York City. He has recently created a trendy new e zine called Omnizine, which will launch it’s first edition in July, 2011.
for more information on Dorian or his career:
Visit Dorian’s Blog @ http://www.doriansden.wordpress.com
Follow him on Twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/dorian_lassiter
Friend him on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/doriansden
Or find him on LinkedIn, Tumblr, or Technorati
The Re-Animation of Frozen Walt Disney
|
|
Encino Man $3.36 Two unpopular California high school kids uncover a prehistoric teenager in their backyard, then try to teach him the ways of the world–from eating junk food to finding a cool babe to dressing hip. Sean Astin, Pauly Shore and Brendan Fraser star in this humorous and charming outing. 88 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital Surround, French Dolby Digital stereo; “making of” featurett… |
|
|
Disneynature: Oceans (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo) $16.99 Narrated by Pierce Brosnan, this stunning documentary introduces you to the wonders of aquatic life across the globe. Highlighted by footage of deep-water marine creatures that have never before been captured on camera, the film also showcases scenes featuring migrating whales, dolphins, and great white sharks–resulting in a compelling portrait of the world beneath our oceans. 84 min. Widescreen;… |
|
|
Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination (Vintage) $11.24 The definitive portrait of one of the most important cultural figures in American history. Walt Disney was a true visionary whose desire for escape, iron determination and obsessive perfectionism transformed animation from a novelty to an art form, first with Mickey Mouse and then with his feature filmsâmost notably Snow White, Fantasia, and Bambi. In his superb biography, Neal Gabler shows u… |
|
|
Walt Disney Is Frozen and Mickey Mouse Is a Millionaire … |
|
|
Disney’s the Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe $9.75 Defeat Evil, Free Narnia! The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is a definitive actionadventure based on the Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media film capturing the renowned and beloved book series from author C.S. Lewis. Players enter the world of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter by the evil powers of the malevolentand evil White Witch. In order to en… |
|
|
Timex Men’s T45171 Expedition Analog and Digital Combo Watch $32.74 This Timex Watch (but not any battery, crystal, band, or strap) is warranted to the owner for a period of ONE YEAR from the date of purchase against defects in manufacture by Timex Corporation. Timex will not repair defects relating to servicing not performed by Timex Corporation. This limited warranty applies to US Customers…. |
|
|
Walt Disney / Walt Disney BUGSLIFE / BUGSLIFE $72.29 Walt Disney – Walt Disney BUGSLIFE – BUGSLIFE |
|
|
Walt Disney / Walt Disney BOLT / BOLT $72.29 Walt Disney – Walt Disney BOLT – BOLT |
|
|
Walt Disney – Neal Gabler – Paperback $18.92 Walt Disney |
|
|
Walt Disney – Russell Schroeder – Hardcover $12.7 Walt Disney |
|
|
Walt Disney – Marie Hammontree – Paperback $5.39 Walt Disney |
|
|
Walt Disney – Neal Gabler – Hardcover $29.2 Walt Disney |
|
|
Walt Disney – Jonatha A. Brown – Paperback – Spanish $6.55 Walt Disney |
|
|
Walt Disney – Kathy Merlock Jackson – Paperback $16.94 Walt Disney |
|
|
Walt Disney, 1955 $19.99 Walt Disney, 1955 – Premium Poster |
|
|
Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge $74.99 Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge – Serigraph |
|
|
Walt Disney Imagineering – Imagineers – Hardcover $32.4 Walt Disney Imagineering |
|
|
Walt Disney – Geoff Botkin – Audio Compact Disc – Unabridged $23.4 Walt Disney |
|
|
Portrait of Walt Disney, of Walt Disney Studios $79.99 J. R. Eyerman Portrait of Walt Disney, of Walt Disney Studios – Premium Photographic Print |
|
|
Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge – Carl Barks – Hardcover $16.52 Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge |
|
|
Who Was Walt Disney? – Whitney Stewart – Paperback $4.49 Who Was Walt Disney? |
|
|
Walt Disney’s Valentine’s Classics – Carl Barks – Hardcover $22.69 Walt Disney’s Valentine’s Classics |
|
|
The Art of Walt Disney – Christopher Finch – Hardcover $55.92 The Art of Walt Disney |
|
|
Quotable Walt Disney – Dave Smith – Paperback $8.57 Quotable Walt Disney |
|
|
Walt Disney World – Brian McDaniel – Paperback $21.95 Walt Disney World |
|
|
Walt Disney World Resort – Bron Wikipedia – Paperback $15.55 Walt Disney World Resort |
|
|
Walt Disney’s Imagineering Legends – Jeff Kurtti – Hardcover $25.55 Walt Disney’s Imagineering Legends |
|
|
Walt Disney’s Donald Duck – Carl Barks – Hardcover $14.69 Walt Disney’s Donald Duck |
|
|
Walt Disney World with Disabilities – Stephen Ashley – Paperback $20.42 Walt Disney World with Disabilities |
|
|
Walt Disney’s Cinderella – Ron Dias – Hardcover $3.59 Walt Disney’s Cinderella |
|
|
PassPorter’s Walt Disney World – Jennifer Marx – Paperback $22.45 PassPorter’s Walt Disney World |
|
|
Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland – Al Dempster – Hardcover $3.59 Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland |
|
|
The Complete Walt Disney World – Julie Neal – Paperback $15.21 The Complete Walt Disney World |
|
|
Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland – Jon Scieszka – Hardcover $14.44 Walt Disney’s Alice in Wonderland |
|
|
Walt Disney’s Classic Storybook – Disney Book Group – Hardcover $13.59 Walt Disney’s Classic Storybook |
|
|
Walt Disney $35 Walt Disney has been dissected, criticized, and lauded in numerous biographies, most of which try to penetrate the psychology of the man and his motives. Walt Disney: A Biography takes a cultural approach, looking at Disney as both a product of his culture and a cultural innovator who influenced entertainment, education, leisure, and even history. Drawing on many original sources, Walt Disney provides an overview of this genius’s remarkable life and family. At the same time, the book places Disney in the context of his times as a way of exploring the roots of and inspiration for his creativity. Because Walt Disney’s creations and ideas still affect our movies, play activities, vacation choices, and even our dreams and imagination, his influence is as important today as it was when he was alive, and this thoroughly engaging book shows why. |
|
|
Walt Disney Story $79.99 Alfred Eisenstaedt Walt Disney Story – Premium Photographic Print |
|
|
Walt Disney in Smiling Portrait $79.99 Alfred Eisenstaedt Walt Disney in Smiling Portrait – Premium Photographic Print |
|
|
A New Walt Disney Mickey Mouse $12.49 A New Walt Disney Mickey Mouse – Masterprint |
|
|
Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse and the Beanstalk $129.99 Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse and the Beanstalk – Collectable Print |
|
|
Fodor’s Walt Disney World – Laura M. Kidder – Paperback $15.32 Fodor’s Walt Disney World |
|
|
Walt Disney, of Walt Disney Studios, Posing with Some Famous Cartoon Characters $79.99 J. R. Eyerman Walt Disney, of Walt Disney Studios, Posing with Some Famous Cartoon Characters – Premium Photographic Print |
|
|
The Disney Collection By Disney, Walt $23.66 Author: Disney, Walt Subtitle: Piano, Vocal, Guitar Publication Date: 1993/02/01 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.50 Width: 9.00 Height: 12.00 |
|
|
Walt Disney Sitting at His Desk $79.99 Alfred Eisenstaedt Walt Disney Sitting at His Desk – Premium Photographic Print |
|
|
Walt Disney World Company $76.47 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. La Walt Disney World Company, ainsi que la Walt Disney Travel Company, la Walt Disney World Hospitality and Recreation Corporation et le Reedy Creek Improvement District, poss dent et g rent le terrain du Walt Disney World Resort. Ceux sont toutes des filiales 100 de la Walt Disney Company. La Walt Disney World Company est rattach e la division Walt Disney Parks and Resorts et g re la partie op rationnelle de Disney Cruise Line. Walt Disney cr a de nombreuses soci t?s crans pour acheter les terrains n cessaires Walt Disney World Resort. Ces soci t?s durent la fin se regrouper, do lhistorique complexe cidessous. Author: Avery, Iustinus Tim Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 84 Publication Date: 2011/07/21 Language: French Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.20 inches |
Write a Comment