X-Message-Number: 12835
From: "George Smith" <>
References: <>
Subject: Re: CryoNet #12823 Storing your DNA now.
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1999 15:42:37 -0800

In answer to Gary Tripp's question regarding options for storing your DNA
now so that it is available later for growing replacement tissues and
organs:

It's my understanding that members of Cryonics Institute are already offered
this option at no additional charge.  For example, everyone in my own family
has their DNA samples stored at in liquid nitrogen at CI already.  (In a
sense, I am already saved in suspension if cloning counts at all).

Why should you sign up with CI, if you are only looking for an inexpensive
way to store your DNA?

Please remember the cost for CI membership (under Option 2) is now only $120
annually or $35 every three months.  (You also need minimum life insurance
of $35,000 which can be pretty cheap).

Depending upon your age, this cost is probably not very much more than just
finding someone commercially to store a sample of your DNA... or buying a
large combo pizza about once a month.

If later you decide to switch to a different cryonics service, you can do
so. But in the meantime you will have two major advantages:

(1) you will have a safety net in place to suspend you right now and...

(2) you will have a DNA sample preserved with an organization which is not
likely to vanish tomorrow.

Remember, CI has no debt (and a policy of remaining debt-free).  This means
CI has long term staying power in the event of financial disruptions,
depressions, etc.

Additionally, a commercial non-cryonics DNA storage service will also
probably not have the same philosophic comittment to long term caretaking
that CI does.  What is their reason for storing your DNA?  Is it just to
make money?  Will they tell you if they go out of business and trash their
tissue samples in the dumpster in the alley?

CI is run by and for its members.  They are there because of a personal
commitment to making cryonics work for all members.  You can't buy
dedication and lasting loyalty, but you can join up with people who already
have it.  (I am not speaking against other cryonics organizations, by the
way.  They have their loyal members as well.  But if money is an issue, CI
is incredibly less expensive).

I know that there are some individuals who are waiting for more evidence of
improved suspension methods before choosing a cryonics program, but if you
are going to start spending money on storing your DNA anyway, why not sign
up for a complete suspension program?

You can always switch to any other cryonics provider you prefer later if you
so choose.  But why wait and take unecessary chances with your life?

Your DNA will be almost certainly safer at CI, and if you should die (car
accidents happen no matter what your age!) and cryonics works, you can buy
me a dinner in gratitude for this suggestion when we see each other on the
other side of the ice!

Cryonics Institute details at:

www.cryonics.org

-George Smith

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