X-Message-Number: 1246
Date: 01 Oct 92 00:34:49 EDT
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: Re: cryonics: #1220 - #1227 (Part 2 of 2)

On the matter of discouraging last-minute signups:

In an ideal world, I would agree that we should not do so. But we are not
in an ideal world. Not only are last minute people significantly more
expensive compared to the resources they have given to Alcor, but they 
are also significantly more risky. The risk comes from such things as
lawsuits by relatives arguing that the terminal patient was frightened 
into suspension, grasping at straws at the urging of greedy cryonics
organixations, etc. 

This risk isn't just to the cryonics organization but to anyone who
participates in the suspension. That is one among several reasons why
it will not be easy to just "hire the necessary cryonics staff". More-
over the operation has become sufficiently detailed (at least in Alcor's
hands) that we cannot reasonably expect a surgeon of any kind to be 
able to come in off the street and do a suspension.

Given the currently small number of people able and WILLING to handle
these issues, any abrupt increase in the number of suspensions will
strain them very much. Anyone hired off the street, again (even if paid
some very large amount of money) can't be expected to take as much
care of a patient as someone who is a cryonicist. After all, to these
outsiders, they are not doing medical care at all. They are engaging
in a farcical show for the benefit of deluded cryonicists with a pile
of dead meat at its center.... and so if we DID hire outsiders, we'd 
end with care of less quality.

Fundamentally, it is the risks Alcor runs by freezing last-minute cases,
and the problems of swamping all the committed and qualified people now
in cryonics, that worries me about the present policy of accepting 
these last-minute cases.

And for anyone who argues that we are being elitist, the answer is 
clear: why not join up now before you become terminal? The only restrict-
ions we make on joining is that you can fund your suspension, aren't
terminal, and pay the dues.

On unbundling, trust funds, and other such matters:

Frankly I'd very much like to see Alcor's Patient Care Fund administered
by one of the normal organizations handling trusts. But the last time I
looked (admittedly some time ago) it just wasn't large enough. Eventually
it will be. But there is much more than that to the issue of unbundling.
Cryonics is not just about being frozen. It's about being frozen, staying
frozen, then being revived and cared for until you can deal with your 
new situation. Those 3 purposes are the reasons for a cryonics society
in the first place. Yes, certainly I hope that cryonics societies will
someday be able to simply hire the necessary people to carry out these
functions on a nearterm basis; but the CRYONICS SOCIETY will still be 
needed to act as a watcher and guide to all these other functionaries.
Nor is it likely that ANY trust, if simply left running to support some-
one frozen, could keep them safe for long enough. The problem is that 
times and laws change, and attitudes too. I doubt very much that anyone
can formulate a Trust Document which will deal well with all the unknown
contingencies of 300 years in the future. It takes people who are THERE,
and retain the basic motivations, to make the necessary choices in that
future unknown world.
				Thomas Donaldson

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