X-Message-Number: 8828
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 03:34:08 -0800
From: Paul Wakfer <>
Subject: Re: Reasons not to join cryonics
References: <>

In Msg # 8825, Robin Helweg-Larsen wrote:

> all suspension will inevitably

> involve major damage for the foreseeable future, the far enough future will be
able to put us back together no
> matter what.


I wish to take issue with this last part of your statement. Your "put back 
together no matter what" may be as nothing
but a amnesiac replica of what you currently are.


It is most important that all cryonicists should realize that both because 
current neuroscience does not sufficiently

understand the basis of mind so that we are certain we are saving it, and 
because nothing with a mind has ever been

successfully cryopreserved and restored to life, we CANNOT BE CERTAIN that we 
come back with our mind intact. And

this has *nothing* to do with simply waiting longer for better repair 
technology. Yes, I agree with the information

paradigm. But THE INFORMATION MAY BE GETTING DESTROYED DURING THE 
CRYOPRESERVATION PROCESS. We do *not* know that it
isn't!!

I applogize for yelling, but this point cannot be made strongly enough.


This is the *essential* reason why suspended animation must be perfected and 
become an electable procedure before

legal death available at major hospitals and paid for by health insurance. Only 
in this manner will it be available

for the vast majority of ways in which we may become terminal and need it. This 
procedure will no longer be

asssociated with cryonics which will still be available after legal death for 
those people who are so badly damaged
that reversible suspended animation procedures are not possible.


I strongly suggest that anyone who does not understand how essential it is to 
perfect suspended animation, is living

in a dream world of wishful thinking. Personally, I will not be satisfied that I
have any reasonable chance of being
alive in the far future unless and until suspended animation is perfected.

Please note that my email address has changed.

-- Paul --

 Voice/Fax:909-481-9620 Page:800-805-2870

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