X-Message-Number: 9576
Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 02:24:38 -0400
From: Saul Kent <>
Subject: Why Don't People Sign Up For Cryonics?

        In my essay, "The Failure Of The Cryonics Movement"
(9556,9557) I stated that, in my opinion, the number one reason
people don't sign up for cryonics is that they don't think it will work.

        Three people who responded to my essay questioned
my statement that the number one reason people don't sign up is 
their perception that cryonics won't work.

        In message 9564, Paul Wakfer said:  "Much as I agree
that this is very important and we would gain enormous numbers of
people (the "best" people) if they could only be convinced that it
would work, I do not believe this is the *major* reason why people
in the general public do not sign up."

        In message 9561, Andrew S. Davidson said:  "My
perception is that the general public supposes that whole-body
freezing is already a practical propositon and is already being
performed on a significant scale."

        In message 9563, Linda Chamberlain said:  "The lack
of scientific validity, or even a well-funded research program may
not be the overwhelmingly, absolutely, irrefutably, undeniably 
SINGLE most important reason for the failure of the cryonics
movement..."

        Over the years, I've heard many cryonicists give 
one reason or another (other than the poor quality of cryonics 
methods) to explain why people don't sign up for cryonics.

        I would like to hear others on this forum give their 
opinions on the number one reason people don't sign up for 
cryonics.  I not only want to know why you think people don't sign
up, but I'd like you to state your evidence for this belief.

        In my case, I think most people are aware (to one 
degree or another) of the following perceptions, which strongly 
influence them in  deciding *not* to sign up for cryonics:

        1) No major human or animal organ has been
cryopreserved, thawed and transplanted successfully.

        2) No human or large animal has ever been
revived after cryopreservation.

        3) Animal and human tissues are seriously
damaged by freezing and thawing.

        4)  It is not possible to restore people to life
after "death".

        5) Virtually all mainstream scientists say that 
"Cryonics won't work!"

        I think that these perceptions contribute
collectively to the opinion that cryonics won't work, and
that this opinion is the number one reason people don't 
sign up.  However, I'm interested in other people's 
opinions about why people don't sign up. So, please, 
let's hear your opinions and evidence regarding
this issue.

---Saul Kent, CEO
21st Century Medicine

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