X-Message-Number: 7813
From:  (Thomas Donaldson)
Subject: Re: CryoNet #7802 - #7809
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 1997 09:33:49 -0800 (PST)

Hi Guys!

I've made my comments re Skrecky's posting on this cryonet message to 
Skrecky himself.

As for making cloning illegal, I would say that the time spans involved in
cryonics, especially for cases in which nothing is left but the DNA, will be
great enough that present laws are totally irrelevant. Many laws get either
repealed or ignored as public attitudes change. The present pollies can do
what they want but their laws, and probably even memory of them, will not
last for 200 years.

Why 200 years? Well, I pulled that out of the air. But speaking for myself
alone, so long as my brain exists in some form, I would want those caring
for me to first see what can be done to revive ME. And I don't want them
to give up easily at all --- they can take 1000 years, if they want, but
only really rock-solid proof that the information which is ME simply isn't
there would justify cloning me. Cloning me, after all, is just one way
to give up the attempt to preserve me. 1000 years? Yes, of course, 1000
years --- not that I can set any given time at all after which my demise
has become certain.

Finally, while I doubt the implications suggested by Mr. Skrecky and Mr.
Coetzee from the papers they quote, I note that they are after all
reading CRYOBIOLOGY --- and I hope other such background material. That's
all to the good.

			Long long life,

				Thomas Donaldson


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