X-Message-Number: 2915 Date: Mon, 18 Jul 94 18:32:31 From: Steve Bridge <> Subject: CRYONICS Autopsy law help To CryoNet >From Steve Bridge, Alcor July 18, 1994 Many of you will know that California has a statute [GOVT. CODE 27491.43 (a)(1) (1985)] which limits the powers of the coroner to perform autopsies when an objection is based on religious belief. The particular "religion" does not have to be stated. If a California cryonics patient signs such a form, it effectively prevents autopsy except where homicide or dangerous infectious disease is suspected. Apparently this law has been used effectively by a number of people in the past and has been tested in the courts. At least two cryonics patients (not Alcor members) have received protection from autopsy by using this law. Recently I discovered that at least New York and New Jersey also have such a law. Since the article I read is about nine years old, it is possible these statutes may have been amended and that additional states may have adopted similar laws in recent years. Since knowledge of laws which protect suspension patients from autopsy can help us all, I would like to ask for help on this from other CryoNet readers. Attorney Jackson Zinn, a long-time cryonicist who has been a member of several organizations, is planning to put together a book which compares cryonics law in the different states. This information will then be available to any cryonicist. Prior to that, I will write an article for Cryonics magazine giving as many details as I can on this particular legal question. Right now, I need assistance in at least three areas: 1. Could someone in New York and New Jersey send me copies of the laws there? They are: a. New Jersey -- [N.J. STAT ANN. 52:17 B-88.2 (1984-85).] b. New York -- [N.Y. PUBLIC HEALTH LAW 4210-c(1) (1984-85)] Please check updated volumes and supplements for possible clarifications and amendments. Also send any court case notes you find on the subject. 2. If you live in other states or have access to a major law library, would you be willing to check for similar laws in other states? 3. Longer term, would you be interested in individually supporting such legislation in your own states? This will take some work, but could be extremely valuable in preserving your very own brain someday. Generally, this legislation has been promoted by Orthodox Jews and other religions which have objections to autopsy as "mutilation of the body." You will need to work with these organizations, since it is unlikely that a legislature will consider such a bill merely for the convenience of cryonics. Please let me know if you can assist. You may correspond with me via e-mail at or regular mail at Alcor Life Extension Foundation, 7895 E. Acoma Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale AZ 85260-6916. Phone is 602-922-9013. FAX is 602-922-9027. Thank you. Steve Bridge, President, Alcor Life Extension Foundation [ Steve, messages 15, 2500, and 2500.1 have some information about legal protection from autopsy. Message 15 concerns only New Jersey law (from sometime in the 1980's) but 2500 and 2500.1 concern recent federal law. To retrieve them, send email to me with the Subject line: "CRYOMSG 15 2500 2500.1" - KQB ] Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=2915