X-Message-Number: 7020 Date: Fri, 04 Oct 96 23:37:17 From: Mike Perry <> Subject: Moral Dilemma Will Dye, in "Moving slowly closer to signing up, #7014, raises the possibility that he could die without having completed his suspension arrangements. On the other hand, it seems clear that he wants to be frozen in the event of death--he would rather be frozen than not frozen. In his message he says that, if his arrangements are not in place, "Shed no tears for me, and don't feel guilty about burying an unfunded patient." But I would not feel good about not trying to save a person's life if I could, even if doing so would create a hardship for me, and even if the person said, "please don't bother--I don't want to burden you." Sorry, I just don't see it that way. On the other hand, it's clear that if very many people who wanted to be frozen nevertheless did not get their funding in place, thinking some charitable person or persons would see to their suspension after their death and provide the funding as necessary, it couldn't work out--not enough resources. Quite a dilemma--which we've mostly been spared from having to confront thus far, (apparently) because few are interested in cryonics to begin with. Anyway, I certainly advocate persons who desire cryonic suspension getting their arrangements in place and not depending on charitable individuals to save them. But I also think it's a good idea to make one's intentions about wanting to be frozen clear *in writing* even if one cannot immediately make arrangements. At Alcor we have a legal document (which Steve Bridge I understand is also mentioning in a message) known as the "Declaration of Intent" that establishes one's wish to be cryonically suspended but does not constitute an arrangement with any organization. Neither Alcor nor any other organization is mentioned in the document, and it costs nothing to execute (two witnesses are required). Steve can speak for Alcor's policy regarding the document. The Venturist organization will also supply a copy to anyone or any organization that requests it. Mike Perry http://www.alcor.org Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=7020