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From: ems@apple.UUCP (Mike Smith)
Newsgroups: net.sci
Subject: Re: Costs of extinction
Message-ID: <194@apple.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 3-Oct-86 17:18:28 EDT
Article-I.D.: apple.194
Posted: Fri Oct  3 17:18:28 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 4-Oct-86 12:49:15 EDT
References: <26500079@inmet> <26500106@inmet> <1166@cybvax0.UUCP> <44@oliveb.UUCP>
Reply-To: ems@apple.UUCP (Mike Smith)
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, USA
Lines: 30


The idea was put forth that we should cryo-preserve endangered species
for future use.  This prompted a question about costs and difficulties.

The answer is that it is *VERY* cheap to store the samples.  The cost
mostly comes from the collection process.  For example:  In human
reproductive centers it is common to store semen and sometimes even eggs
and embryos.  The size of a sample stored it typically about 1 cc.  Several
1 cc vials are mounted on a strip.  Many strips are bundled, then placed into
a liquid nitrogen tank about 1 metre in diameter and one metre tall.

The tank is, basically, a large 'Thermos' (tm) jar.  (A Dewar Flask ...)
Liquid N2 is added weekly or monthly depending on frequency of opening.
It's cheap.  Hundreds of samples can be stored in one tank.  Several tanks
can be tended by one technician.  Total cost is measured in tens of thousands
of dollars per year, not millions.  For a full center storing hundreds
of thousands of samples, you might get into the million dollar club,
but you should be able to do it much cheaper ...  

The real cost is the expedition to (name of strange place) to collect, 
freeze, and transport the 20 - 2000 samples collected.

-- 

E. Michael Smith  ...!sun!apple!ems

'If you can dream it, you can do it'  Walt Disney

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