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


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