X-Message-Number: 722 Subject: CRYONICS Re: Unanswered ACS Policy Questions From: (Edgar W. Swank) Date: Fri, 10 Apr 92 22:39:07 PDT This is a partial response to Steven Harris' enquiries in Msg 710. Steven: As I recall (I didn't archive the message) there was a note by Mr. Swank a month ago to the effect that Alcor has not always done neurosuspensions... Edgar: Actually what I remember saying was that it was my impression, subject to correction, that Alcor had not always offered *whole-body* suspensions. It's also my impression that even though Alcor offers whole-body suspensions now that they are discouraged in favor of neuro. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Steven: Also, as I recall <please correct me if I'm wrong!> there was also a statement from Mr. Swank that ACS does indeed accept people who want to sign up for "head-only" (as opposed to brain only) freezing. I wonder if he'd clarify this point: does that mean that Trans Time (the organization which performs suspensions for ACS) is willing to do such a procedure? Edgar: Yes. I've heard directly from Trans-Time that the neuro option is "offered but not promoted". I think this means that if you were dealing with TT directly you would have to ask for a neuro suspension, TT would not volunteer its availability. Steven: On a related matter, I've also heard ugly rumors that Trans Time has refused to do any kind of surgery or washout or cryoprotectant perfusion on a patient with AIDS. Does that mean that ACS members with the AIDS virus are destined for a "straight freeze" (no pun intended), with no cryoprotectant prep? If so, do these members (assuming that ACS has members who are HIV positive) realize what they're in for? On the other hand, if these rumors are not true, here is a good place to put them to rest right now. Edgar: I think the rumors are somewhat exaggerated. As I understand it, currently TT's facilities are considered inadequate for the safety of TT personnel to handle some procedures with HIV+ patients. This is a temporary condition which should be remedied shortly after TT moves into the new building in Sunnyvale. Currently, it's been explained to me, TT accepts HIV+ whole-body patients. They get a washout, perfusion, etc. via a cortid/jugular cannulation with no opening of the chest wall. Naturally this results in a good perfusion of the head/brain, but a less satisfactory perfusion of the lower body. In the case of brain-only, and presumably head-only, a professional mortician and a pathologist under ACS/TT supervision perform perfusion and brain extraction (head detachment?) in a mortuary. We presume these professionals know how to protect themselves from HIV & there is no danger to TT or ACS personnel. Once again, both of these procedures are temporary until an improved operating theater is available in the new building. I'm afraid I can't provide any more info on the nursing home patient who refused standby (or whose relative refused standby). I also can't provide any info on the last ACS patient at least at this time. Presumably a report is forthcoming. Incidentally, I've forwarded the Alcor report of their last suspension (A-1260) to ACS. I think it's a good model of the level of detail such a report should have. Steven: I note that in the last 5 years since I've been a member of Alcor, Alcor representatives have managed to be physically present with equipment to begin the suspension process on a member at the MOMENT of pronouncement of death, no less than SEVEN times. So far as I can tell, ACS has yet to be present at a de-animation. Would Mr. Swank like to comment on the factors responsible for this? Edgar: I couldn't comment since I haven't been involved in the operation of ACS or TT for several years. But I will forward your question for possible comment by the ACS board. TT monitors Cryonet so it can speak for itself if it chooses. Steven: Wouldn't it be even neater if Dr. Ben-Abraham, Smartest Man in the World and President of ACS, signed up for cryonics himself? Edgar: Without Avi's permission, I can't either confirm or deny his suspension membership status (was that a trick question?). I will forward your question to the ACS office where Avi can, if he wishes, offer his own comments. -- (Edgar W. Swank) SPECTROX SYSTEMS +1.408.252.1005 Silicon Valley, Ca Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=722