X-Message-Number: 9668
From: "Halperin, Jim" <>
Subject: My Modest Proposal (Cryonet#9618)
Date: Sat, 9 May 1998 21:19:35 -0500 

	First, I want to thank Joe Strout, Steve Bridge, D. den Otter,
Olaf Henny, Mike Darwin, John de Rivaz, Christopher Rasch, Paul Wakfer
and many others for their insightful comments on this forum and
privately. I promise to revise my ideas and approach based on feedback
I've received -- and hope to continue to receive -- from fellow
cryonicists. I'm well used to working with multiple drafts, where my
clumsily expressed ideas gradually take recognizable shape, as those of
you who've read early versions of The First Immortal will certainly
remember. I don't discourage easily, and am extraordinarily difficult to
insult (you have to be thick-skinned to publish a pro-cryonics novel
under your own name). Furthermore, I consider many of the criticisms
made thus far to be so obviously correct that I wonder how I could have
been so dumb as to overlook at least acknowledging them in my initial
posting. 
	Still, nobody has yet named a single obstacle that I believe
couldn't be addressed by changing the terms offered to the organ
donation organizations. For example, I agree that the brain donation
portion is misleading and perhaps even illegal, and probably shouldn't
go into effect until various changes in organ-harvesting procedures--and
perhaps even organ-donation laws--occur, which might take years. But, as
long as the conditions are clarified, why should that stop me from
making the offer now? (An aside to any cryonics organizations
considering my proposal: Feel free to impose any conditions you like as
to how I may present the offer to organ donation groups.) 
	Based on your feedback, I am also considering replacing some
portion of the brain-preservation funds with unrestricted contributions
to those organ donation and cryonic organizations willing to work with
me. The new formula might also include cryonic research grants and/or
prizes, although Steve Bridge's caveat (about the likely ineffectiveness
of organ preservation prizes under $10 million) contains a discouraging
ring of truth. 
	I'm very willing to abandon this whole idea entirely should I
come to the conclusion that it is likely to do more harm than good, but
I don't really feel that I am in a position to determine that just yet.
And I'm hesitant even to approach any organ donation organizations until
I have price quotes and a firm commitment from at least one cryonics
facility to preserve tissue samples and/or brains. So far the only
cryonics facility who has responded is Cryocare, who said that they
would not participate because of heavy time commitments to research.
What about the rest of you? 
	Best regards, Jim Halperin

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