X-Message-Number: 1288
From: Graham Wilson <>
Subject: Cryonics
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 92 13:36:13 WET DST

In recent months I have been trying to obtain some information from the
Coroner here in Coventry with regard to my final year cryonics Law project.

Intially, the Coroner refused to even consider any questions, stating that
"the industry (cryonics) merely arises from a person's inability to 
accept death."

I recently wrote again to the Coroner asking him to venture an opinion on 
a few brief questions. I asked what his view might be were someone to 
be revived from cryonic suspension. Should the death certificate be 
deleted or should the person be given a new legal identity ?

I also asked how he might react were the individual to be given limited
rights to prevent the coroner from ordering an autopsy. At the moment the
powers of the Coroner are absolute.

His reply was as follows : " The questions that you raise are not legal
questions and therefore my competence to answer them is the same as anyone
elses. You do not appear to understand that the Coroner's Act requires 
the coroner to hold autopsies and that he is censured if he does not. the
question is not whether or not he should order a post mortem examination."

I agreed that the questions were not strictly concerned with points of law.
However, I was asking him to venture an opinion with his knowledge as Coroner.
With regard to the Cornoer's Act, it is up to the Coroner to decide whether to
hold an autopsy. He has the right to refuse.

I gather that the Coroner's department are not very keen to discuss
this subject. I suppose I shall have to direct my questions to the 
chief Coroner for England and Wales and see whether he intends to remain
silent on the matter. From the Coventry Coroner's comments, I expect 
he will.
-- 
          ****************************************************
          *      Graham Wilson      *    *
          *     LL.B.  Law  III     *  Coventry  University  *
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