X-Message-Number: 8828 Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 03:34:08 -0800 From: Paul Wakfer <> Subject: Re: Reasons not to join cryonics References: <> In Msg # 8825, Robin Helweg-Larsen wrote: > all suspension will inevitably > involve major damage for the foreseeable future, the far enough future will be able to put us back together no > matter what. I wish to take issue with this last part of your statement. Your "put back together no matter what" may be as nothing but a amnesiac replica of what you currently are. It is most important that all cryonicists should realize that both because current neuroscience does not sufficiently understand the basis of mind so that we are certain we are saving it, and because nothing with a mind has ever been successfully cryopreserved and restored to life, we CANNOT BE CERTAIN that we come back with our mind intact. And this has *nothing* to do with simply waiting longer for better repair technology. Yes, I agree with the information paradigm. But THE INFORMATION MAY BE GETTING DESTROYED DURING THE CRYOPRESERVATION PROCESS. We do *not* know that it isn't!! I applogize for yelling, but this point cannot be made strongly enough. This is the *essential* reason why suspended animation must be perfected and become an electable procedure before legal death available at major hospitals and paid for by health insurance. Only in this manner will it be available for the vast majority of ways in which we may become terminal and need it. This procedure will no longer be asssociated with cryonics which will still be available after legal death for those people who are so badly damaged that reversible suspended animation procedures are not possible. I strongly suggest that anyone who does not understand how essential it is to perfect suspended animation, is living in a dream world of wishful thinking. Personally, I will not be satisfied that I have any reasonable chance of being alive in the far future unless and until suspended animation is perfected. Please note that my email address has changed. -- Paul -- Voice/Fax:909-481-9620 Page:800-805-2870 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=8828