[agi] Cryonics under attack -- petition

[Ben Goertzel]

Title: Message

 

Hello all,

 

The practice of cryonics is being legally challenged in the state of Arizona.  Part of the case against cryonics is that it supposedly has no scientific backing.  Bruce Klein of the Immortality Institute is gathering a petition of concerned scientists stating that indeed it does have some scientific backing. The attached email has more information.   At the end is information about how to add your name to the petition if you wish.

 

We are specifically looking for signatures from PhD's and MD's at this point

 

Yours,

Ben G

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce J. Klein [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 12:36 AM
To: Ben Goertzel
Subject: Goertzel - Cryonics Open Letter

Ben, can you help us here?
Bruce
---
The practice of cryonics is currently threatened by hasty and ill-considered legislation in the state of Arizona, and your help is requested. Although the Alcor Life Extension Foundation has taken the position of favoring regulation by the state government, the particular regulations now pending are the result of inadequate consultation and misinformation about cryonics. The history of this legislation is documented at

http://www.alcor.org/Library/html/legislation.html

Alcor’s concerns about this legislation are not being heard because most lawmakers apparently believe that cryonics has no scientific basis whatsoever.

The premise of cryonics is simply that if the structure and chemistry of the human mind is adequately preserved, then human life is preserved. This view is fully consistent with modern neurobiology, and borne out in clinical practice when blood circulation and brain activity are stopped for periods up to an hour long during certain surgeries performed at cold temperature.

Whether the ultra-low temperature preservation of cryonics can similarly preserve the neurobiological basis of life is a legitimate scientific question. It is question that depends on both the preservation quality that can be achieved, and foreseeable technologies for reversing that preservation. The remarkable preservation that can now be achieved using modern ice-free methods is documented at

http://www.alcor.org/Library/html/cambridge.html

Foreseeable technologies for repairing injuries incurred during preservation are discussed at

http://www.foresight.org/EOC/EOC_Chapter_9.html
http://www.alcor.org/Library/html/Molecula...rOfTheBrain.htm
http://www.alcor.org/Library/html/nanotechrepair.html


A Scientists’ Open Letter Concerning Cryonics has been drafted where scientists can assert their opinion that cryonics, while speculative, does has a scientific foundation. The brief letter and supporting journal articles are at

http://imminst.org/cryonics_letter/

At least 20 PhD or research MD signatories are anticipated in short order, with possibly as many 50 in coming days. Please join them in asserting that cryonics is motivated by scientific considerations, not quackery. If you can help, please respond to this email with your

Name, degree
Title
Institute
City, State

If you are unable to help, a response indicating why would be appreciated. Either way, thank you very much for your attention.

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