Important In Cryogenics And The Temperatures example essay topic

Cryogenics: Is It Worth Waiting For Imagine being frozen in time to escape a deadly illness, then getting warmed when a cure is found. There is question on whether cryogenic methods should be used. To fully understand cryogenics a knowledge of cold, background information on some branches of cryogenics, some problems with cryopreservation, and different peoples views towards cryogenics is needed. "Cold is usually considered hostile to mankind. Most people hate cold and with reasons". If not careful, cold can be deadly to animal and human life, but it can also help cure, because cold bodies perform functions slower (Kavaler 16- 17).

Measurement of temperature is extremely important in cryogenics and the temperatures must be exact. The standard for scientific temperature measurement is the Kelvin scale. On the Kelvin scale absolute zero has a value of zero degrees on the thermometer. In theory no substance can be lowered to or below zero degrees Kelvin or absolute zero.

Temperatures in cryobiology range from zero degrees Celsius-water freezes-to just above negative two hundred and seventy three point sixteen degrees Celsius-absolute zero. The word "Cryogenics" comes from the Greek word kayos meaning cold (Cryogenics Raintree 127, Kavaler 16). The science of cryobiology was first recognized in the early nineteen sixties. Cryobiology is the study of the effects of extremely low temperatures on living animals and plants. The chief concern in cryobiology is to preserve living matter for future use. This method can also be called cryopreservation.

Cryotherapy is the use of extreme cold in treatment. The first trials of cryotherapy proved with great results (Cryobiology Comptons 1, McGrady 97). Frozen cells can be kept alive for ver long periods of time in a state of suspended animation. Almost immediately after rapid thawing, the frozen cells regain normal activity. Cooling of the body causes a loss of feeling, therefore it can be used as anesthesia in surgery. Since certain drugs dont affect healthy cells at low temperatures, the drugs can be safely used against cancerous tumors in the body.

Cryogenics also helps in the preservation and storage of human tissues. Tissues such as eye corneas, skin, and blood that were rapidly frozen can be stored in banks for later use. Then skin can be grafted to burn victims and eye corneas can replace damaged ones. Thanks to Cryobiology blood can be frozen and stored for indefinitely for many years as opposed to only three weeks as it was before cryogenic technology was used. Surgeons can use a cryoscapel, freezing tips, to deaden or destroy tissue with great accuracy and little bloodshed (Cryogenics Academic 350, Cryobiology World Book 929). Scientists use a liquid gas called liquid nitrogen to freeze and store cells.

Some could problems also occur in cryogenics. If cells are not frozen fast enough they will explode and die. Many biological reactions may take place in temperatures as low as negative nine degrees Celsius. And, ice crystals, which form as temperatures as low as negative one hundred and thirty degrees Celsius, will destroy the frozen cells (Allen 38, Cryobiology Gale 1029). Following are the views of two people involved with cryogenics.

Mr. Young, a biology teacher with a working knowledge of cryogenics, thinks cryobiology should be used to preserve endangered species. He doesnt see the technology for freezing a whole body but maybe body organs in the near future. Mr. Young believes the money that would be needed to improve the technology could be better spent, which is a controversy in itself. If given a chance Mr. Young would enter his body into cryopreservation for the benefit science (Young interview). Whereas, an America On-Line-AOL-user with an interest in cryogenics feels when cryopreservation becomes a reality for an entire body, if people are willing and have the money, they should enter their bodies into cryopreservation. He thinks the shock of waking up in a new age of time could be dangerous to ones mental health (AOL interview).

Cryogenics is important because it could save and improve life in many ways. Cryopreservation, a branch of cryobiology, has the main purpose of preserving living matter, plant or animal, for future use. Cryogenics could save the planet from extinction of endangered species. Scientist could save the gametes, the sperm and the eggs, of endangered that can be fertilized and raised when the environment is able to handle them. Cryopreservation should be used on humans who want to use it. Many people are willing to take the risk of being suspended or maybe even lost in time for a chance to live life again.

Bibliography

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