X-Message-Number: 20003 Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 11:20:36 -0700 (PDT) From: Scott Badger <> Subject: Rational Suicide > From: Thomas Donaldson >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "There is a strategy commonly used by cryonicists to be suspended prior to undergoing the "death" caused simply by letting their body go on as it has been. Starve yourself to death. It turns out that this is the only method for committing suicide which does not cause autopsy. When I was in the middle of a law case years ago asking for my right to be suspended prior to legal death (I had a brain tumor), I met one cryonicist, a woman,who was doing exactly that. I am told reliably that she is not the only one. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> From the internet: Starving to death Time: 40 days give or take. Depends on health. Available: Anywhere where you can't be force-fed Certainty: Good as long as no medical help & will power holds up Notes: Supposed to be easier after the first couple of days, since your appetite goes. In a UK prison, you can't be force-fed unless you give permission first, or are diagnosed insane, but I don't know whether this is the same in other countries. Beware - relatives might give permission on your behalf if you are unconsious. (living will / durable power of attorney helps). It may help if you use an appetite suppressant. Amphetamines, and some drugs (MDMA, AKA XTC, AKA ecstasy, AKA metheylenedimethoxymethamphetamine is one such). The problem with these is that they are frequently illegal. I've also heard of something called Aminorex (4-methylaminorex) which was briefly prescribed as an appetite suppressant, but taken off the market since it had fatal side effects... which is hardly a problem!! [1] says: ".. after approximately 20 % of body weight loss, illness will begin to set in, notably severe indigestion, muscle weakness, and _worst of all_ mental incapacity. ... about 40 days before life is seriously theatened. ...." "In some cases self-starvation can be very painful. ... morphine had to be administered to kill the pain of fatal dehydration. .." That doesn't sound very appealing to me compared to suicide using an inert gas like Nitrogen or Helium as described at the following web site. http://www.togopeacefully.com/DYING.html It appears to be quick and painless enough, but does significant brain damage result from using such a procedure? Scott Badger __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=20003