X-Message-Number: 7020
Date:  Fri, 04 Oct 96 23:37:17 
From: Mike Perry <>
Subject: Moral Dilemma

Will Dye,  in "Moving slowly closer to signing up, 
#7014, raises the possibility that he could die without 
having completed his suspension arrangements. On the other hand, it 
seems clear that he wants to be frozen in the event of death--he 
would rather be frozen than not frozen. In his message he says that, 
if his arrangements are not in place, "Shed no tears for me, and 
don't feel guilty about burying an unfunded patient." But I would not 
feel good about not trying to save a person's life if I could, even if 
doing so would create a hardship for me, and even if the person said, 
"please don't bother--I don't want to burden you." Sorry, I just don't
see it that way. On the other hand, it's clear that if very many
people who wanted to be frozen nevertheless did not 
get their funding in place, thinking some charitable person or 
persons would see to their suspension after their death and provide
the funding as necessary, it couldn't work out--not enough resources. 
Quite a dilemma--which we've mostly been spared from having to 
confront thus far, (apparently) because few are interested in cryonics
to begin with.

Anyway, I certainly advocate persons who desire cryonic 
suspension getting their arrangements in place and not depending on 
charitable individuals to save them. But I also think it's a good 
idea to make one's intentions about wanting to be frozen clear
*in writing* even if one cannot immediately make arrangements.
At Alcor we have a legal document
(which Steve Bridge I understand is also mentioning in a
message) known as the "Declaration of Intent" that establishes one's
wish to be cryonically suspended but does not constitute an
arrangement with any organization. Neither Alcor nor any other 
organization is mentioned in the document, and it costs nothing to 
execute (two witnesses are required). Steve can speak for Alcor's
policy regarding the document. The Venturist organization will also 
supply a copy to anyone or any organization that requests it. 

Mike Perry


http://www.alcor.org


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