X-Message-Number: 22137
From: "John de Rivaz" <>
References: <>
Subject: Re: Cryonic alternative to live birth
Date: Sun, 6 Jul 2003 10:47:52 +0100

With regards to frozen embryos, I have it in mind that a few years ago the
British government ordered the execution of those embryos stored this way
that failed to have parents that kept the storage organisation aware of
their location. There were many protests, not the least being one from the
Roman Catholic Church, but the sentences were carried out.

A similar execution occurred in the USA:
http://www.Longevity-Report.com/1999.htm and scroll down the index to the
story.

Entering the text <frozen embryo> into the search box of
http://news.bbc.co.uk reveals over 40 stories on the subject, but not this
particular one which may have occurred outside the time frame of the BBC web
site.

There is another story there about a bitter fight by lawyers against a woman
who wanted to use a frozen embryo from her deceased husband. This went to
several appeals, but in the end the woman won. more on
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/252224.stm

Another concern is that of estranged partners who fear that an ex-wife's
lawyers can take their earnings to pay for the upbringing of children
conceived by this method after the ending of partnerships. This particular
problem could, of course easily be solved by legislation that absolves the
previous partner of financial liability in IVF cases where the baby is
conceived after the end of the partnership. But as most legislatures are
composed of lawyers they are unlikely to pass laws that would simplify life
in general. One of these cases is described on
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3046086.stm Often male partners try to use
the power of the law to exterminate the unwanted embryos.

I suspect, therefore, that if existing cryonics organisations were to enter
into this field they would run a very severe risk of becoming bankrupted
through exploratory legal adventurism long before any financial benefits
could appear.

-- 
Sincerely, John de Rivaz:  http://John.deRivaz.com for websites including
Cryonics Europe, Longevity Report, The Venturists, Porthtowan, Alec Harley
Reeves - inventor, Arthur Bowker - potter, de Rivaz genealogy,  Nomad .. and
more

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