X-Message-Number: 27210
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 10:01:46 -0400 (EDT)
From: Charles Platt <>
Subject: The time is right for a jointly agreed protocol
References: <>

The idea of setting our own standards in cryonics has been
suggested many times but has never been pursued for the
reasons stated by Brian Wowk.

HOWEVER, the situation today has changed, since CI now does
offer an (extra cost) standby-transport service, and thus has
implicitly agreed that standby may be useful for people who
want it and can afford it.

CI also has pursued its own vitrification capability.

Funding differences between CI and Alcor remain significant,
but funding does not have to be part of a procedural
protocol.

I believe at this point the three organizations (Alcor, CI,
and ACS) can in fact reach consensus on the procedures that
should be followed IN A HYPOTHETICALLY IDEAL CASE. In other
words, where the member is very well funded and chooses
standby service, and where standby team members can be
present before death is pronounced.

Suspended Animation already has a written protocol defining
standards of practice, as part of its contract with the
Cryonics Institute, and the same protocol is applied to ACS
cases. Since the protocol is derived largely from Alcor
protocol, any differences are minor.

All we need to add is a great big caveat: Treatment and
procedures may be simplified considerably in cases where the
member is not sufficiently funded or has chosen a simplified
protocol.

This might seem to be such a big caveat, it makes the whole
thing pointless, but I don't see it that way. If we can start
by defining the ideal case and then work backward, this is a
very valuable beginning. Being able to show a jointly agreed
"model protocol" to prospective regulators would be very
useful indeed. Since Suspended Animation hopes to offer
basically the same service to all organizations, it may be in
a good position to help in this initiative.

--Charles Platt
speaking in this instance on behalf of Suspended Animation.

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