From: tsf@CS.CMU.EDU (Timothy Freeman)
Subject: Re: Basic Questions...
Originator: tsf@U.ERGO.CS.CMU.EDU
Organization: Carnegie Mellon University
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 14:59:40 GMT

Good questions.  I should have responded earlier.  Some are answered
in the FAQ, and all of them should be.  Here are the answers, best as
I know:

In article <ByzM98.Bt0@cck.coventry.ac.uk> csg256@cch.coventry.ac.uk (Pete) writes:

   1.   Is cryonics available in the Uk?

From what appears below, it seems that the suspension setup is
comparable to what you'd get outside of California in the US, but the
equipment and the legal climate haven't yet been tested by doing a
suspension.  Here's the relevant blurb from Kevin Brown's list of
cryonics organizations:

Alcor UK, associated with Alcor Life Extension Foundation, does not (yet)
do the suspensions and caretaking themselves, but they are well-equipped,
with their own building and laboratory, and have initial training in
transport and perfusion.  Mike Price (CompuServe 100034,3077) is
Alcor UK's recording secretary.  Russell Whitaker (CompuServe 71750.2413)
publishes "British Cryonics News", which performs the function of keeping
the local membership informed.
    Alcor UK
    Unit 18
    Potts Marsh Estate, Eastbourne Road
    Westham, East Sussex
    England
    Voice: 0323-460257
    FAX: 03212-6050

CryoNetUK: For those who live in the UK, there is an electronic mailing
list for extropian items of local interest, such as announcements of
interesting television shows, gatherings, Alcor meetings, and 
local administrivia.  You needn't be an Alcor UK member to receive
mail.  Send your request for inclusion to csuab@csv.warwick.ac.uk.

   2.   Has anyone or any animal ever been brought back to life after
        spending time in 'suspended animation'.

Depends on how you define "suspended animation".  With special
preparation, several dogs and a baboon have been kept near 0 degrees C
for several hours without permanent damage.  In this state they have
no brain waves and no heartbeat.  The FAQ describes this in detail
(question 2-13).

If "suspended animation" means being frozen at liquid nitrogen
temperatures, then the only examples I know of are fetuses of various
species, including human (done routinely as part of the process of
making test-tube babies) and some insects (I half-remember this; can
anyone fill in the details?).

   3.   If no living creature has ever been brought back to life, when is it 
	likely to be possible to do this?

Starting from something frozen and ending with something alive isn't
the problem, since that can already be done.  The problem is starting
with a frozen nervous system and recovering the person.  Given the
amount of damage done by freezing now, this will require technology
with working parts smaller than the size of a cell.  See the FAQ,
questions 2-3 and 8-1.

If you want to look at the FAQ and there isn't a copy sitting in the
old messages for this newsgroup at your site, send me mail and I'll
send you a copy.
--
Tim Freeman <tsf@cs.cmu.edu>    CompuServe ID 71045,2267 checked occasionally.
When they took the fourth amendment, I was silent because I don't deal drugs.
When they took the sixth amendment, I kept quiet because I know I'm innocent.
When they took the second amendment, I said nothing because I don't own a gun.
Now they've come for the first amendment, and I can't say anything at all.
Newsgroups: sci.cryonics