Re: cryonics question

Peter Passaro (ocsrazor@worldnet.att.net)
Sun, 8 Nov 1998 23:02:09 -0500

Josh Glasstetter wrote:
> does anyone understand how a human embryo can be cryopreserved, revived,
> inserted into a uterus, and then develop naturally? it seems to me that
if
> cryopreservation is so terribly destructive to human cells that
> cryopreservation of embryos would be impossible...
>
> josh

Its a question of size. The damage to cells is caused by formation of ice crystals, which can be avoided if an organism is frozen quickly enough. Unfortunately humans are too large to have all of their cells frozen quickly enough to avoid this damage. Many smaller creatures have been successfully revived after cryopreservation.