X-Message-Number: 28200
From: 
Subject: British Columbia Anti-Cryonics Law Update
Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2006 11:14:15 US/Eastern

  Below is a reply to Robin Helweg-Larsen from BC Solicitor
General John Les, which he asked me to publicly post for him. 

   As I have mentioned in previous posts, I think that the
lobbying emphasis should be concentrated on the 
(BPCPA) Cemetery, Interment & Funeral Services 
Advisory Group (now scheduled for July 19) and the 
question of BC funeral directors being fully informed
before turning attention to the Solicitor General to 
change the law:

http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/dsp.cgi?msg=28186

  Robin described John Les as "stodgy over-protective"
and I think that accurately reflects the impression I 
have of that bureaucrat based on previous correspondence.
I am not very hopeful that he would be very responsive
to lobbying, unless it amounted to real pressure from 
consumers, which would be difficult for us to achieve. A court
battle would probably be the proper approach, if someone
had the money and the commitment to follow-through on 
such a project. 

    -- Ben Best 

  Robin Helweg-Larsen <> wrote

> Having expressed concerns about the Cryonics situation in BC, I have
> had the following reply from Solicitor General John Les, dated June 23, 2006:

*******************************************************************
"I am responding to your May 18, 2006 letter
regarding prohibition on
sales, and offers of sale, of arrangements relating to cryonics and
irradiation in the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act.
  
"At this point in time, information continues to support the view that
the benefits of the present legislation outweigh any drawbacks. 
Government continues to be concerned about British Columbians who may
be taken advantage of at a time when they are experiencing grief and
sorrow associated with the loss of a family member or friend. 
Government is also troubled by the notion that consumers who are
concerned with their own mortality, or who have a terminal medical or
health situation, are particularly vulnerable to the promise of being
brought back to life when this clearly cannot be delivered by
present-day science.
  
"Government intends to maintain the consumer protections provided
through the <i>Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act</i>
as we believe these provisions continue to be in the bet interests of
the public and help to ensure a fair marketplace for British Columbia
consumers and businesses."
***************************************************************

> Although I live in Chapel Hill, NC, I'm a Canadian citizen who 
> lived in British Columbia for 17 years. Four of my five children 
> were born there. I find John Les' letter very stodgy and 
> over-protective. The only good thing I can see in it is, that if ever 
> cryonics became acceptable in BC, it should then be very well-protected 
> by the stodgy over-protective government against hostile religious 
> militants... (Maybe I'm just dreaming!)
>
> And by the way, I didn't mention irradiation - I assume I have 
> received a variant of a form letter.
>
> Robin Helweg-Larsen

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