X-Message-Number: 13488
Date: Thu, 06 Apr 2000 10:10:43 -0600
From: Fred Chamberlain <>
Subject: Re: BioTransport, Inc. (not CryoTransport)

Date:    4/6/2000
From:    Fred Chamberlain
Subject: BioTransport, Inc.

The below answer to a post by  may help to prevent
misunderstandings which otherwise could cause readers to hold unwarranted
expectations.  Time does not permit a detailed discussion of these matters,
unfortunately.

Fred Chamberlain
President, Alcor Life Extension Foundation
President, BioTransport, Inc.

***************************************************


Message #13456 
From:  
Date: Sun, 2 Apr 2000 12:54:25 EDT 
Subject: CryoTransport etc.
Peter Christiansen (#13452) wrote:

>>Apparently both Alcor and CI intend to use Cryo Transport to perform the 
>>initial suspension procedure which would mean the quality of the actual 
>>suspension for members of either organization would be the same.
>>CI currently offers a whole body suspension for $28,000 but does not 
>>offer a neuro option. Alcor charges $120,000 to $150,000 for a whole 
>>body, and $50,000 or 42% the cost of a whole body suspension for a 
>>neuro. 
>>It is my understanding that long term storage maintenance funding at CI 
>>is based on an estimated average annual growth (or draw) of 5%, and at 
>>Alcor on an estimated average annual growth (or draw) of %2. Either of 
>>which of course is very conservative compared to the average annual 
>>growth rate of 10% in the major financial markets in the past century.
>>All this being so, it would seem that it should be possible to offer a 
>>competently performed neuro suspension, and long term storage, for 
>>$12,000 to $15,000.
>>Comments? 
----------------------- 


>First, CI intends to offer CryoTransport services (and any other similar 
>services, plus any improved CI services) to CI members, as options, if and 
>when that becomes possible. At the moment, CryoTransport availability (based 
>on public information) appears to be at least a year away, and the cost 
>unknown but probably (my guess) much higher than any current costs--more
than 
>$35,000 for the initial procedures alone. If I am wrong, I'll be glad to
have 
>better information. 


Bob Ettinger is right about the likelihood that open availability of services
from BioTransport, Inc. (not "CryoTransport", which is a term coined by Alcor
to designate its certified technicians; i.e. ACT stands for Alcor
Cryotransport
Technician".)  BioTransport is in the process of revising its overall approach
to public service delivery, and the original projections that these would
begin
in early 2001 are no longer valid.



>Second, CryoTransport, even if it materializes as hoped, will not by any 
>means solve all problems. Aside from the probably high cost, the delays in 
>arrival of traveling teams, and the unreliability of local volunteer help, 
>are difficult problems. 


Again, Bob Ettinger is right that BioTransport, Inc. (not CryoTransport) will
"not by any means solve all problems".  There are circumstances in which (1)
autopsy cannot be avoided, (2) delays in starting procedures cannot be
avoided,
and (3) there are some circumstances in which it may not be possible to obtain
possession of the patient, donor or member at all.

One of the largest scale problems in cryotransport is that most people believe
"it will never happen to them", and thus give no time or energy to
preparations.  In one notable instance, when a member of another organization
was taken to a hospital in Scottsdale with a heart attack, Alcor was contacted
by a close family member who was active with the organization involved, and it
was necessary for Alcor to inform the family member of the name of the
mortician who was supposed to see to the suspension of the patient (if the
patient died).  This degree of unpreparedness was not surprising to us, since
we see many instances of Alcor Members who hold a similar picture of the
future, that is, "it will never happen to them".

BioTransport, when it *does* offer services to the public, is likely to
address
a far broader market than cryotransport alone.  However, its deepest purposes
will always be focused on cryotransport, to which all of its other services
will be pathways with compatable and complementary technologies.  For now,
that
is about all I can say about BioTransport, Inc.


Fred Chamberlain, President/CEO () 
Alcor Life Extension Foundation 
Non-profit cryotransport services since 1972. 
7895 E. Acoma Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale AZ 85260-6916 
Membership Information: (877) GO-ALCOR (462-5267) 
Phone (602) 905-1906 FAX (602) 922-9027
 for general requests
<http://www.alcor.org/>http://www.alcor.org

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