X-Message-Number: 1428 From: Graham Wilson <> Subject: CRYONICS - Legal Suggestions Date: Sat, 12 Dec 92 15:38:31 WET I was wondering what people's comments might be on the following ideas : (1) The recent cases involving issues of death registration have demonstrated the inability of the law to deal with the suspended cryonic patient. One solution to this problem might be to develop an "intermediate" death certificate. Under normal circumstances, when a person dies their relatives would be issued with a conventional death certificate. However, where someone who has opted for cryonic suspension "dies" they would be issued with this new "intermediate" death certificate. I would propose that the rights, powers and duties associated with the intermediate certificiate would be defined by statute and would include specific requirements. These requirements might include allowing the creation of perpetual trusts, the creation and appointment of a new type of trustee for the cryonically suspended patient with powers to act as "next of kin" on behalf of the patient and changes to contractual law principles which would allow certain types of contract to remain valid upon death. The intermediate certificate would be issued under the jurisdiction of the court of protection who would also be responsible for the powers and duties of the cryonic patient's trustee. Can anyone see any problems with this suggestion ? Would there be a better way ? 2) Should the state be responsible for looking after cryonic patients rather than private companies ? Would the same system which we have in the UK for the protection and treatment of psychiatric patients be applicable ? Here, they are looked after by the National Health Service in NHS facilities, although the court of protection takes responsibility for the control of legal problems and responsibility for possessions. -- ********************************************************* * Graham Wilson * * * LL.B. Law III * Coventry University * ********************************************************* Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=1428