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 Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=13488