X-Message-Number: 22851
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2003 22:40:47 +0100
Subject: Re: which country will be first to legalize cryonics?
From: David Stodolsky <>

On Saturday, November 15, 2003, at 04:05  PM, randy wrote:

> On 15 Nov 2003 10:00:01 -0000, you wrote
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> Message #22838
>> Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2003 08:00:34 -0800 (PST)
>> From: Randall Burns <>
>> Subject: Russia and Cryonics
>>
>> I personally think that exploring how it might be
>> possible to lobby in Russia would be a good idea. I
>> also suspect that some countries like Japan and Korea
>> would be amenable here.
>>
>> If cryonicists could just get 3-5 countries to
>> _firmly_ legalize cryonics, this would be a big step
>> forward.
>
> I am thinking that if any country would be able to legalize cryonics,
> it would be one of the northwestern European countries, such as
> Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, etc.  THey seem to have a
> more pragmatic, non-religious approach to life.  For example, polls
> show that far fewer citizens of those countries have a belief in a god
> or afterlife (I think the figure there is maybe 30-40% or so, as
> opposed to 60-70% here in the USA).

These figures can be misleading. For example, even though belief in god 
is low in Denmark, as is church attendance, about 90% belong to the 
State Church. From a social psychological standpoint, this indicates 
such a deep integration of religion into daily life, that the weekly 
reaffirmation is hardly needed.

When cloning first became controversial, Denmark passed a law banning 
it immediately. Somewhat latter, it became apparent that cloning of 
cells, etc. was obviously a good idea, and the law was modified. 
Members of the official Ethics Advisory Board make statements about the 
need to improve the Quality of Life as opposed to increasing the 
Quantity of Life. When I mentioned cryonic suspension to my MD, who is 
was willing to work with me on developing a drug regime for life 
extension, he said it wouldn't be long before a law was passed against 
cryonics, if it was attempted in Denmark. On the other hand, fetal cord 
blood is now routinely placed in low temperature suspension upon birth, 
in order to be available for cancer treatment.

The advantage of these countries over Russia, Japan, Korean, etc. would 
be primarily due to very low levels of corruption and a functioning 
legal system. However, the above argument could also be made.


>
> Also, Switzerland and Netherlands have, I believe,  practically
> decriminalized euthanasia.

The Northwestern European countries are all predominantly Christian, 
but there are significant differences in their responses to end-of-life 
ethical questions. The European Values Study database could be analyzed 
in order to identify the best bet. It might require a supplementary 
survey specifically on the question of cryonics to get specific 
results, however.


dss


David S. Stodolsky    SpamTo: 

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