X-Message-Number: 7437
From:  (Thomas Donaldson)
Subject: Re: CryoNet #7423 - #7429
Date: Mon, 6 Jan 1997 18:51:18 -0800 (PST)

Hi!

I have some comments re David's reporting about Australia. As we all know, a 
Supreme Court case is going to begin soon in the US on this issue. Whether or
not it succeeds, the presence somewhere on the Earth of a country willing to
allow patients to be helped when they wish to commit suicide will be of very
great value to cryonics. It may be worthwhile to think about possible 
donations to the Australian fund at the numbers Brandt-Erickson gives.

Since this message will appear later than David's, here is the phone number
(an AUSTRALIAN PHONE NUMBER) and Acct number in a Westpac bank:

Phone: 1 800 655 288   --- this may not work from outside, but the AT&T
			   international operator can certainly connect you
			   with a Westpac bank.

Acct 735318-532485 in "any Westpac bank".              

Sure, I'd like it much better if the US Supreme Court decides in favor of 
allowing people to choose their own death. And if there is any effective way
to donate to that case, then I'd expect American cryonicists to do so ---
right now I know of none. Does anyone else on Cryonet know of any? They
would deserve support, too --- although at this stage, if I understand US
Federal Law, there isn't much such support can do.

The more widespread such a right becomes, the more useful it will be to us.
And even if the Supreme Court case fails, the similar laws in an Australian
territory will show better than any poll that there is wide support for such
a right. And if cryonics in Australia becomes influential worldwide because
of it, then so be it.

			Long long life to all,

				Thomas Donaldson

PS: I continue to wonder about the 20% figure for autopsies. Please, can 
some supporter of such a figure explain how it was obtained? Possibly it 
includes failed attempts at suspension which never got off the ground at all,
but such attempts (if they come to 20%, certainly!) should also be reported
openly.


Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=7437