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 ]

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