X-Message-Number: 1449
From: Graham Wilson <>
Subject: Cryonics
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 92 15:23:55 WET

Re: Legal Suggestions


In his reply to my original posting, Thomas Donaldson suggests that it would
be catastrophic for the government rather than an institution such as Alcor
to be responsible for the operation of cryonic facilities.

I believe that complete control by government would probably seem a bad
solution to the problem. However, from reading the postings over the last
month concerning what has at sometimes seemed- with respect- to be 
pathetic infighting among Alcor officers and members, I cannot see how 
such an institution can guarantee to remain solvent and capable of 
achieving its objectives in the forseeable future.

Cryonic patients require some form of legal protection. At the moment the
degree of protection remains unclear. However, I cannot see that on their
own, cryonic institutions will be in a position to guarantee to deliver
what they have promised their members.

I imagine that if in 20 years time a cryonics company were to become insolvent
the government would be placed under pressure to take over the care of the
suspended patients, rather than allow another Chatsworth to happen.

Cryonic companies should prepare for such a contingency now, rather than 
denying it is unlikely that it would ever happen.

Graham Wilson

-- 
         *********************************************************
         *      Graham Wilson      *    *
         *     LL.B.  Law  III     *     Coventry  University    *
         *********************************************************

[ Graham, FYI: Message #221 (Asilomar Conference Report (Part 2 of 2))
  mentions the panel discussion on FOCS (Federation Of Cryonics Societies).
  One of the major motivations for FOCS was to help the cryonics
  organizations become self-regulating to avoid abuses and complaints
  that would attract government regulation.  Self-regulation was seen
  just as the lesser of two evils, not something arising from the warm
  and fuzzy feelings the separate organizations had for each other!
  As it turned out, FOCS fizzled and the "tentative agreement" described
  in message #221 apparently was not even agreed to by all parties there.
  When more cryonics organizations start sprouting up, any of which
  could fail and thereby attract government intervention, perhaps the
  FOCS idea will be reanimated. - KQB ]

Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=1449