X-Message-Number: 1442
From:  (Harry Shapiro)
Subject: CRYONICS - Saul Kent
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 92 11:30:03 EST

Thomas Donaldson writes:
> To summarize, Saul believes that separating storage from other
> cryonics activities will increase its safety for the patients.  The
> first reason he says this is true is that Alcor, which does the actual
> suspensions, will be much more the object of legal attack than an
> organization which does nothing but store patients.  This attack may
> come from government or even independent groups who feel that cryonic
> suspension is somehow evil.  It can also come from disgruntled
> relatives of the patient, who feel that Alcor has not done its best or
> perhaps has defrauded the patient.
> 
> An organization involved purely in storage would (he suggests) keep
> its assets out of the United States, managed by agencies in a country
> which does not recognize the Rule against Perpetuities.  Actual
> storage may even happen outside the US.

I believe that seperating Alcor into different companies with seperate
boards and even competing services would be a good idea.

I certainly believe with his % ownership of cryovita, Biopreservation,
and a Cyronics Trust company in Liectensein (sp?) Saul Kent will be
in a good position to profit from such move/split.

Mike Darwin will also profit as will other boardmembers, and I
S t r o n g l y, believe, A l c o r MEMBERS.

Competition, self-interested profit motives, and strong focus on
customer needs is what drives effecientcy in a capitialistic system.
We certainly need more effective cryonics, I think everyone can agree
on that.

At the NYC Alcor meeting that Saul and Mike attended, Mike was very
clear and forth right about where his self-interests and profit motives
lay. I have the up most faith in the honesty of his communications.

Saul speaking about the same issues didn't issue the same disclaimers.
He did offer a copy of his "book" about Carlos to everyone there.
Afterwards, I asked for a copy and was given "the 3rd degree" about
who I was and why I wanted it. I must admit b o t h these issues rub
me the "wrong way."

I don't know much about Saul. Like all persons I am sure that he has
made his mistakes and had his moments in the sun. I do wish he would
be more open about how he personally expects to profit from Cyronics
and how that influences his views about Alcor.

Alcor (and Cryonics) is about to become a "big business." I expect
some to make lots of money on it, and I feel good about that. I also
expect that many of our lives will be saved and that I really feel
good about that!

Given the potential for profits, I would like more openness about
their self interests from all those involved in the recent struggles.
Esp.  Saul and Alcor boardmembers.

/Harry Shapiro

-- 
Harry Shapiro  				      
List Administrator of the Extropy Institute Mailing List
Private Communication for the Extropian Community since 1991

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