Metro

Frozen In Time from page 15

morals, his sensitivity"
Added Kowalsky's dad, Eugene, "We
are Orthodox and I have questions
about whether it is halachically right
or wrong. I taught science for many
years and scientifically I don't know if
it's accurate; but it seems like a pos-
sibility someday."
Cherna Kowalsky thinks her son's
initial interest in cryonics came from
personal experience around age 13.
"It was around the time my father
died and Joe started thinking about
death and how to make it so people
wouldn't have to die she said. "As he
got older, he looked into it in a more
scientific way"

What's Next?
Supporters of cryonics say it doesn't
offer eternal life, but hopes to extend
it without the burdens of age and dis-
ease. And those involved know there
are no guarantees.
Aware that no mammal has been
cryopreserved and revived, they see
hope in scientific advances that include
the freezing and restoration of human
tissue, sperm and embryo.
In addition to awaiting cures and a
technique for restored youth, there is
no process in place yet for removal of
the toxic solution placed in bodies, the
replacement of body fluid and repair of
damage done in the freezing process.
"But it's still better to be frozen now
and worry about that later:' Kowalsky
said.
The CI website responds to naysay-
ers, describing population problems

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— and solutions — as being there
with or without cryonics and see
future generations benefitting from the
talent and leadership of those revived.
They say relatives may be comforted
knowing their loved ones may have a
future life.
Looking back, Ettinger said, "I see
many blunders and, of course, over-
optimism, but also some important
results."
Looking ahead, he said, "I will be
frozen within a few years. The field
will continue to grow slowly until
some catalyst ignites acceleration.
Those with a little sense, a little money
and considerable luck will reach an
unbounded future and reunion with
some of those they loved."
Kowalsky said, "If this turns out to
be something God doesn't want, then
we won't succeed. But unless there's a
voice from heaven telling me not to do
this, I'm going ahead with it."
He voiced concerns about living
without his wife and other family and
friends in a strange, new world.
"But I compare it with my grand-
mother. Most of her family was killed
in the Holocaust:' he said. "She came
here from Poland, where they had no
indoor plumbing, knowing only her
half-brother, not speaking English, and
beginning a new life. We are malleable;
we are all born not knowing anyone.
"Someone once told me that cryon-
ics is like 'the ambulance to the future.
I liken it to a one-sided bet. If you win,
you'll still be alive; if you lose, you're no
more dead." I

MEIER

Authorities Weigh In from page 15

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February 17 • 2011

of Jewish law and practice at
the Reform movement's Hebrew
Union College-Jewish Institute
of Religion in Cincinnati, said, "A
person is either dead or alive;
there's no middle ground. One
who has been pronounced dead
is dead.
"If cryonics is at all feasible,
the person would have to be
frozen while still technically
alive. I don't know whether some
cryonics 'scientists' are talking
about actually reviving the dead,
but Jewish thought concern-
ing bioethics does not deal with
miracles."
Washofsky also cites con-
cerns relating to psychological,
emotional and even theological
issues.

"They have to do with the prop-
er human response in the face of
a devastating medical prognosis,"
he said.
"When all reasonable hope for
a cure or for a successful treat-
ment of a disease is gone – at
least in the reality of the here
and now and in the foreseeable
future – many would argue that
the best thing to do is to bring a
sense of closure to ourselves and
our loved ones; something that
will allow them to prepare for our
inevitable passing, enabling them
to mourn us properly and then to
get about the task of recovering
and going on.
"Cryonic preservation," he said,
"would complicate this process
immensely." II