X-Message-Number: 4196 Date: Thu, 13 Apr 1995 05:29:19 -0500 (CDT) From: Don Ashley <> Subject: Donahue & Life Extension Foundation (fwd) Cryonics and LEF atacked on Donahue: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 13 Apr 1995 05:13:29 -0500 (CDT) From: Don Ashley <> To: Patrick O'Neil <> Cc: Subject: Donahue & Life Extension Foundation The proprietors of LEF were interviewed on Donahue Wednesday. The subject of extended lifespans was discussed with an exposure of millions. While Donahue's format is to entertain people with his insulting commentary, the topic was at least exposed to many people who have more than an infantile mind. It is doubtful that people who are already committed to encouraging research for life extension were convinced that such ambition is fruitless. Many new people are motivated. Donahue was not overtly discouraging research. His attack was on the promotion of products not approved by USFDA and sensationalistic advertising. Whatever LEF has done, legal or not, they did get the attention of millions of objective thinkers as well as millions of sheep. The idea of 120 or 150 year life spans was broadcast to the nation. That seed of thought can go a long way when promoted professionally. There's even a remote possibility that some local politician was exposed to the broadcast. That politician may be a decision maker when a credible bill is introduced for funding for research. Or maybe the politician's spouse was watching and discussed it at lunch. Attaching oneself to the cause of life extension research may carry with it a stigma of fanatacism after Donahue ridiculed the LEF proprietors. Just mentioning the idea of 150 year lifespans in social conversation brings reactions of disbelief anyway. The Donahue show and the LEF provide opportunity to move forward. The mental energy has been stimulated. Proponents of research may consider avoiding endorsements of products that violate federal law even though they look good in other countries. Patrick O'Neill has investigated telomerase and its effects on longevity/immortality. (see postings this month on this list). The research must continue. 'Immortality' definition is being clarified on this list for net readers. The general public needs something to identify with in order to get motivated. 'Senescence' is not a common word among voters. The voting public who may support funding needs to be able to relate to a professional, non-stigmatized cause. 'Life extension' now carries questionable connotation. 'Longevity' remains neutral in public emotion. 'Disease' when referring to aging process offends the scientists who are possessive of the term. The choice of correct terminology carries the vote. Using terms with negative stigma obstructs communication and support. Donahue even ridiculed cryonics when he graphically described the decapitation of someone's mother for freezing. He makes money and gets to stay on the air by using repulsive commentary. If he wasn't emotional his show would lose viewers. The challenge and the opportunity is here, this week, for the courageous to promote research for the explosion of human lifespans. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=4196