April 06 2008 / by Joe Meme
Category: Biotechnology Year: General Rating: 12 Hot
A link posted a few days ago on the Future Scanner by
Al Fin from a story on Eureka
states that scientists have been able to induce completely
reversible and apparently not harmful suspended animation in mice
using a small amount of hydrogen sulfide gas. If reproducible in
humans, one of the primary benefits would be to put people who have
suffered traumatic injury into this state to prevent acceleration
of injuries while they can be transported to a facility for
critical care. 
One of the things it made me think of immediately was
biochemical warfare and the use of this concept in film. I can
imagine the benign (in terms of lasting health effects) use of this
chemical to temporarily paralyze a local population while state
actors take over a city or George Clooney and Brad Pitt knock off
the U.S. Mint in Ocean’s 19. Given the issue of lack of available
oxygen in commercial air travel these days – an iteration of this
could be used for passengers. Perhaps once we level off to a
comfortable cruising altitude the gas could be administered and
everyone would be in suspended animation for the duration of the
flight. It would certainly save a lot of money on meal service,
eliminate bathroom lines and could be available in case of
emergency for the dreaded ten hour tarmac delay.
Of course most women can tell you that sex or beer, pizza and a
tv already have this effect on most men.
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