X-Message-Number: 33342
From: 
Date: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 10:04:54 -0500 (EST)
Subject: DNJ article highlights

The (weekly) Detroit Jewish News issue of Feb. 17 has a feature article on  
cryonics and the Cryonics Institute, and I now have a paper copy.
 
The writer is Shelli Liebman Dorfman, who makes an effort to be fair,  

although she doesn't offer a good account of the evidence in support of cryonics
 and barely refers to the CI web site, without naming it. The main negative 
 bits were in the obligatory quotes by "authorities" in science or 
religion, as  well as some lay opinions. 
 
The rabbis quoted said the practice is against the Jewish  religion,  which 
requires quick burial. In ancient times, of course, a corpse left out in  
the heat of a day in Israel would quickly bloat and stink, so common sense at 
 that time demanded quick burial. Similarly, ancient practicalities 

underlie the  dietary laws. How many modern Jews will pay attention to the 
ancient 
custom is  conjecture, but I suspect this, if it ostensibly occurs, will in  
most cases be only an excuse for a deeper aversion. We'll see if there is  
any noticeable response from readers in the form of queries to CI or new  
memberships.
 
At any rate, here are some of the writer's comments, paraphrased:
 
Joe Kowalsky, raised in an orthodox Jewish home, is a member of the Board  
of Directors of CI, and explains why he thinks it is not against his  
religion.
 
David Ettinger, CI's main attorney, gave  his first public interview  on 
cryonics at age 12. His wife Constance, also an attorney, is a member of its  
Board of Directors.
 
Cryonics is not illegal anywhere in North America.
 
Minimum cost of $28,000 at CI is correctly stated.
 
Of three local Jewish funeral home spokesmen, two said they had received  
questions about cryonics but not requests for such service.
 
The CI system does not depend on electric power, although there is an  
emergency generator.
 
CI patient population is given as 102 (since up one to 103).
 
Cryonics does not offer eternal life or any guarantees, but  hope for 
extended life without senescence. 
 
Answers are given to population control questions and questions of  
readjustment of revived patients. 
 
One rabbi said that a person is either dead or alive, with no middle  
ground.
 
--So, perhaps enough here to arouse interest in some readers. We'll  see.



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