Science wakes up to idea of human hibernation

[Dover]

April 22, 2005

Science wakes up to idea of human hibernation
By Mark Henderson, Science Correspondent

SUSPENDED animation is poised to move from science fiction to reality: scientists have successfully induced a state of reversible hibernation in mammals for the first time, using methods that could eventually be applied to human beings.

The breakthrough in the United States promises to allow doctors to slow human metabolism almost to a standstill, protecting critically ill patients from damage to the brain and other organs that would normally be inflicted by oxygen deprivation. Patient trials could begin within five years.

The “hibernation on demand” technique, which has been pioneered in mice, also raises the prospect of putting astronauts to sleep for long voyages in space — a staple of science fiction films such as Alien and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

In a study at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle, a team led by Mark Roth used hydrogen sulphide gas to place mice into artificial hibernation, slowing their cellular activity virtually to a standstill. The animals were left in this state for up to six hours before being revived without any lasting ill effects...cont'd


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-1579497,00.html

[rkc3]

1. I have three co-workers whose presence at work can only be

desribed as cellular activity slowed to a standstill. They've gone one step further and can maintain this state for a minimum of 8 hours a day.

[vpigrad]

2. Cool!

Can I be put under until the party is back in control?