X-Message-Number: 9708
Date: Wed, 13 May 1998 14:41 -0600 (MDT)
From: Tim Van Tongeren <>
Subject: Observations from the public

I am not a scientist. I am your public; your potential customer. I
would like to tell you a few observations I have, so you might better
understand the public's opinion on cryogenics. I am just offering my
opinion so you can possibly find solutions to some of the problems
the public might see. Again, I am not bashing you, just trying to show
you some concerns.

First, most of what the public knows about your field is from Hollywood.
"Forever Young", "Batman and Robin", "Austin Powers." Most of these
movies are fun, but the concept is sci-fi and not believable. Many
people still don't even know that the concept "works".

Second, there are serious questions that people have about the
afterlife. If one believes in the afterlife, and believes that their
soul will go to paradise/nirvana/heaven of the religion-de-jour then
one might wonder how cryogenics would interfere. If your body is
preserved, then you aren't dead. If you aren't dead then you won't go
to the afterlife. What if your soul is caught in limbo? What if you
miss your window of opportunity by prolonging your time on earth? 

Third, some believe that you are "playing god" or toying with fate.
They see cryogenics as a souped-up life support system. Plenty of
people don't want to be a vegetable on a life support system, so they
sure wouldn't like to be a "veggie-sicle". 

I am sure there are more concerns, but those are the ones I have heard
from friends and colleagues.

-----------------------
Tim Van Tongeren

Software Engineer

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