X-Message-Number: 14366
From: 
Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 22:38:31 EDT
Subject: Reanimation Foundation

A couple of things have come to my attention about the Reanimation Foundation 
of Liechtenstein.

1. On page one of the Regulations it is stated that a "committee of 
protectors" shall be comprised of three members of either Alcor or Cryonics 
Institute, or people with certain relationships and otherwise qualified.

This may give the false impression that CI has some official relationship to 
the Reanimation Foundation. This is not the case, and until recently I was 
not even aware of these documents. There is no connection whatever between CI 
and RA.

2. On page 11 of the Regulations there is a reference to the possibility of 
using RA funds to save people via time travel. I think this creates some 
discomfort in terms of public relations with respect to cryonics. 

As to the general merits of RA, that is of course up to the individual 
prospect to decide after review of RA documents and alternatives. In view of 
its stated fees and investment policies, I personally am not impressed.

At the time the RA was formed, there were few if any venues in the U.S. for 
trusts without the rule against perpetuities. This has changed rather 
dramatically recently, with several states now having done away with the 
rule, in whole or in part, and others apparently soon to do so.

But it still remains true, in my opinion, that someone who wants to earmark 
funds for his exclusive personal use after revival will have a hard time 
finding trustees (and succesor trustees) both competent and reliable. I much 
prefer to leave my estate to CI, no strings attached, to maximize my chances.

Robert Ettinger
Cryonics Institute
Immortalist Society
http://www.cryonics.org  

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