X-Message-Number: 10813
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1998 12:36:37 -0800
From: Richard Gillmann <>
Subject: Re: Choice of cryonic organizations


In CryoNet #10676 - #10687, Marty Kardon () asked about 
criterion for choosing a cryonics organization:

>    Of the organizations I have contacted all seem sincere and
>knowledgable. The stakes are so high (and so costly particularly for a
>family of 2 adults and 4 children such as mine) that I'd like to know
>what others have seen after "kicking the tires."

The Cryonics organizations I know about are:

	Alcor, Scottsdale, AZ 
	Cryonics Institute, Clinton Township, MI 
	Cryocare, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 
	Trans Time, San Leandro, CA 
	American Cryonics Society, Mountain View, CA 


All seem sincere and as I see it, it's a matter of choosing the one which most 
closely meets your needs (sort of like choosing a car from the profusion of 
models available).  I have developed a list of criteria for choosing a cryonics 
organization, according to my personal thoughts on what's important:


1. Suspension price.  What is included and what is left out?  Whole body or 
neuro?


2. Provision for transport, cooldown and perfusion.  Does the organization 
provide this or do you make your own arrangements?  Response time?  Technologies
used?  Standby team available?  Geographic area served?


3. Long term low temperature storage.  How likely is the organization to 
continue to exist?  Legal form (non-profit, for-profit, other)?  Financial 
stability?  How is the trust money invested?  What assumptions are made about 
long term rate of return, after allowing for inflation?  What provisions have 
been made to protect storage area from natural disasters?


4. Research.  Does the organization support cryonics research?  Does part of 
each suspension fee go towards research, or do we assume others will pay for 
this?


5. Re-animation funds.  Are funds held in trust to cover the cost of 
re-animation, or do we assume this cost will be born by others?

Does this seem like a good list?  Feedback appreciated.

==============================================================
Richard Gillmann                    http://www.nwlink.com/~rxg
Issaquah, WA (USA)                  
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