X-Message-Number: 7146
From: 
Newsgroups: sci.cryonics
Subject: Re: Idle Speculation
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 96 22:19:57 -0500
Message-ID: <>
References: <565vhh$>

Anonymous <> writes:
 

>The public, the government, the media would NEVER allow a death row inmate to 
be cryonically preserved, would they?  
>

>But what legal grounds would be used to prevent it?  The death penalty does not
explicitly prescribe eternal death.
 
 
   I started a discussion on exactly this idea some months back. Since the
government doesn't yet recognize cryoic preservaton as workable, there'd
prpbably be little objection to a post-execution preservation, unless,
like me, you both believe cryonics can work, and believe in capital
punishment. (Some people should not be given a second chance at life.)
 
   But a post-execution suspension has one benefit going for it....you know
exactly when the person is going to die, so standby is not a problem.
 
   On the other hand, some forms of execution are more suspension-friendly
than others. The electric chair pumps enough voltage and current through the
body, and espically the *brain,* heating it greatly, that what's left isn't
worth the effort. Cyanide gas leaves dangerous traces throught the body that
would be a great danger to a suspension team. (And might also cause
irretrevablebrain damage, too.) The damage from a head shot where the firing
squad is used,
is esy to imagine....
 
   But lethal injections involve metabolism slowing barbituates not unlike
those used in a suspension anyway. In this situation, the state has almost
done the first step for you (if they'll let you have the body promptly).
 
   So if you plan to commit a capital crime, and then be frozen, I guess
your best bet is where they use the needle....
 
   Frank


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