X-Message-Number: 6201
Subject: Cryonics and the Medical Ethic
Date: Tue, 14 May 1996 10:10:38 -0400
From: "Perry E. Metzger" <>

> From:  (hEpCaT)
> 
> I hope that for the sake of future Alcor patients and their well being 
> that Alcor doesn't routinely become involved in medical decisions that
> prolong the lives of terminally ill patients.

I hope that Biopreservation continues to try to make sure that
terminally ill patients get good medical care -- before and during
their cryopreservations. Normal doctors often do not have particular
concerns about whether your brain gets oxygen starved during your last
days and hours before you deanimate. I would imagine most cryonicists
do.

> IMHO, a doctor's function insofar as cryonics is concerned is to make sure 
> there is proper and swift pronouncement of death.

I'm glad people associated with the organizations that will
cryopreserve me do not share your "humble opinion". I want good
quality medical care. Cryopreservation is a last resort form of
medical care, not a first resort. You appear to be treating it as a
goal rather than a tragic last ditch attempt to get the patient to
survive long enough to get better medical treatment.

Perry


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