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 * **************************************************** Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=1288