X-Message-Number: 7356 Date: Thu, 26 Dec 96 12:02:03 From: Steve Bridge <> Subject: Re: Cryonics in France To CryoNet >From Steve Bridge, Alcor December 26, 1996 In response to: Message #7353 Date: 24 Dec 96 18:25:46 EST From: DOLINOFF <> Subject: Re #7343 "Cryonics francaise" I thank Professor Dolinoff for his discussion of the state of cryonics in France. > Our conclusions are the following : > - It is forbidden to put anyone under cold storage in France because of several different laws. Prof. Dolinoff, would it be possible for you to tell us more about these laws? Occasionally we get requests for information from France, and the best we can do now is to tell these people that it is our impression that a full cryonic suspension would be difficult or impossible in France. However, we are unable to be specific. If you could give us a detailed explanation in French, with some translation into English, we could better inform these people. Also, Prof. Dolinoff has taken the position that he must discuss cryonics very conservatively in France. My understanding is that Prof. Dolinoff himself thinks that cryonics is a good concept and actively wants to stay alive; however, he has doubts about the current ability of cryonics to preserve life. Further, he does not think that the Drexlerian version of nanotechnology will ever work. It seems possible to me that a more aggressive, optimistic approach might work better in France now, after the many years of preparation Prof. Dolinoff has done. If the French public develops enthusiasm for cryonics, but discovers that laws prevent it, someday the French public will agitate for those laws to be changed. It is almost certain that the laws will not be changed merely by the application of reason. Governments do not work that way. In any case, I second Prof. Dolinoff's recommendation that people in France *today* who want cryonic suspension should move to another country where cryonics is more openly legal. The United States is best, since legal precendents are already in place and US suspension teams can more quickly get to the patient. Steve Bridge Stephen Bridge, President () Alcor Life Extension Foundation Non-profit cryonic suspension services since 1972. 7895 E. Acoma Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale AZ 85260-6916 Phone (602) 922-9013 (800) 367-2228 FAX (602) 922-9027 for general requests http://www.alcor.org Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=7356