X-Message-Number: 13143
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject:  More on abortion and cryopreservation
Date: Wed, 26 Jan 100 12:59:32 +1100 (EST)

Hi again!

There first thing I will say here is that, yes, my opinion on these issues
has been affected by my previous experience. A good number of people have 
proposed various ways to increase the growth rate of cryonics. So far,
such proposals have utterly failed. The main strategy that works NOW is
simply for those who want to promote growth to approach those they know
personally and raise the topic of cryonics with them. Yes, all those other
methods DO produce a relatively small number of new members, but hardly
the number expected by their proponents.

A very few years ago (1996-1997, as I remember) one fellow with a
background in promoting various organizations and charities joined Alcor
and promised to increase Alcors growth rate within a year. We all hoped
that he'd do that, but so far the only thing Ive heard about the success
of his ideas is total silence (suggestive, especially when I look at
Alcor's figures on growth).

I will also admit that the strategy of trying to substitute freezing for
abortion hasnt been raised, at least very loudly, at all over the last
10 years as I remember them. I do not withdraw the problems I see with
such a strategy. Anyone who wants to try it is welcome to do so; my 
personal opinion (which may be wrong) is that they will find their
proposal offends both "pro-life" people AND "pro-abortion" people, with
no frozen babies resulting.

Finally, a short comment on Doug Skreckys piece, clearly relevant to 
the proposed strategy: so far methods for freezing embryos are done only
a few days after fertilization, when the embryo consists of only one or
a very few cells. It DOES work, but using it requires that the mother
have ALREADY decided to freeze the embryos beforehand. Presenting that
possibility when she first realizes shes pregnant is likely to be much too
late for anything other than some form of cryonics to work --- if shes
interested at all. I will also point out that so far the legal situation
of such embryos AFTER THE DEATH OF THE MOTHER has been unknown at best.
Several courts have decreed simply that they be thawed and buried; since
human embryos dont count as property, the mother cannot even control their
fate by her Will.

			Best and long long life to all,

				Thomas Donaldson

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