X-Message-Number: 8885
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 1997 01:04:06 -0500
From: "Stephen W. Bridge" <>
Subject: Donated bodies research

To CryoNet Post
From Steve Bridge, Alcor
December 3, 1997
 
In reply to:   Message #8878
               Date: Mon, 01 Dec 1997 03:05:05 +0000 (GMT)
               From:  (Randy)
               Subject: Cryonics fodder for Hollywood yet again
 
Sorry to be off CryoNet for so long.  In the past two months I have gotten
married, moved into our house together, and gotten a new work position.  I
have several things to say about recent discussions, and I hope to put
together a message this week.
 
First, however, a short reply to Randy Smith.
 
>As I understand it, one of the big problems in cryo-research is
>the lack of human subjects that can be cryopreserved and then examined
>to test protocol efficacies.
>Could cryonicists not find a few subjects willing  to  donate their
>bodies for this purpose (assuming of  course that thr body/brain
>donors received  promises that a proper cremation would  follow  the
>freezing process and none of that evil  Frankenstein stuff, either
>:-)?
>I realize that the vast majority would never go for this, but surely
>there would be a few....
 
Actually, the paperwork involved is very small.  The emotions involved are
very large.  At Alcor we HAVE had brief discussions with a couple of
individuals about this possibility, even in conjunction with a medical
school or other medical research institute (where the other institution
would get final custody of the research donation).
 
One problem seems to be that people who are much interested in cryonics
research want to be frozen for *future revival*, not as a subject to be
frozen, tested, and discarded.  On the other hand, people who are NOT
interested in cryonics, but who want to donate their bodies to science,
generally want their anatomical donation to go for medical schools or
other "humanitarian" purposes.  They fail to see the "humanitarian" nature
of cryonics (at least partly because we all advertise cryonics as a "save
YOUR ass" proposition, not "save someone else's life").  Selfishness is
good for some purposes, not so good for others.
 
Perhaps this will change as cryonics becomes more generally accepted and
understood as an acting of "life-saving."  Then we can say, "Donate your
money or your body to save the lives of others."
 
Finally, there is our own emotional reluctance to push this concept very
hard.  A number of cryonicists, dedicated to saving lives, feel very wrong
about taking potentially salvageable brains from people when we WON'T be
keeping them frozen for future revival.  To many people it seems callused
and just plain wrong to benefit from the subjects' deaths.
 
BTW, I understand this reluctance, but do not share it personally.  I
believe people should have the right to choose death instead of cryonics,
even if I think the choice is foolish.  And if we can benefit others by
that foolish choice, that's fine.
 
Steve Bridge
Chairman of the Board
Alcor Life Extension Foundation

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