X-Message-Number: 7420
Date:  Sat, 04 Jan 97 17:07:07 
From: Steve Bridge <>
Subject: Preventing autopsies

To CryoNet
>From Steve Bridge, Alcor
January 4, 1997

In reply to:    Message #7408
                From:  (Randy)
                Newsgroups: sci.cryonics
                Subject: 20% of cryonicists autopsied?
                Date: Fri, 03 Jan 1997 04:08:02 GMT
                Message-ID: <>

>The article states that, among other things, 20% of all cryonicists
>are autopsied before being cryopreserved. I do not concede that the
>fact that a cryonicist is autopsied means he/she could not be fully
>revived with the aid of nanotech; he/she very well could be, but I see
>it as a definite negative. Any comments on how to avoid autopsy?

     One thing not mentioned here or by Charles Platt in his reply is that 
in five states (California, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Ohio, 
plus a weaker statute in Maryland) an autopsy may be prevented in many 
cases by a "Religious Objection to Autopsy."  If you have signed one of 
these forms -- and someone will make the local coroner or M.E. *aware* of 
it -- the only reasons an autopsy can be performed is evidence of a 
dangerous contagious disease or homicide.  Even then, the law requires the 
coroner to make the least damaging examination necessary.

     You do not have to state a particular religion or give any evidence 
of adherence to a specific religion.  Communications we have had with 
various California M.E.'s and coroners indicate that they do recognize the 
law and adhere to it (although they are NOT happy about it).  

     Alcor has forms available for these six states.  I assume that other 
organizations also do.  I wouldn't rely on these completely, of course; 
but it is a comparatively simple step that residents in some states could 
take to greatly increase their chances, especially in cases of auto 
accidents or heart attacks.

     In addition, there are other states in which such an argument might 
work, based on various court opinions.  There is no form to sign, though, 
and one would have to be very lucky to get a favorable judgment quickly.

     As I suggested in my 1st Quarter, 1995 *Cryonics* article, "The Legal 
Status of Cryonics Patients," (also available in the CryoNet archives) one 
of the best things you could do is to find if any organizations in your 
state (Orthodox Jews, for example) are pushing for such legislation.  If 
so, help them.  And if any of you find the *national* organization which 
certainly must be quietly pushing this (the laws are very similar in each 
state), please let us all know.

>Also, the article breaks down, percentage-wise, the conditions of
>cryonicists at death: 
>
>* 5-6% die without being frozen
>
>* 20% autopsied
>
etc.

     I would point out that these numbers probably depend on a couple of 
hidden assumptions:  They probably reflect the *history* of cryonics and 
may not accurately reflect the numbers of the next ten years, especially 
where the improving cooperation of non-cryonicists affects the results.

     Also, it depends on what you call a "cryonicist."  The circumstances 
are much worse for people who want to be frozen but who didn't get around 
to signing up with anyone in advance.  They may be somewhat better for 
those people who are signed up today.  For example, I am only aware of one 
*signed-up* cryonicist in the 90's who died without being frozen.  There 
have been other people who dropped out of cryonics for one reason or 
another who were not frozen, of course.




Stephen Bridge, President ()
Alcor Life Extension Foundation
Non-profit cryonic suspension services since 1972.
7895 E. Acoma Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale AZ 85260-6916
Phone (602) 922-9013  (800) 367-2228   FAX (602) 922-9027
 for general requests
http://www.alcor.org


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