The Iceperson Cometh: Cyronics, Law and Medicine

Abstract

The "New Biology" has already made profound impact on the law. Cryonics and genetic engineering represent technology triumphs. The natural, organic process of dying is being replaced by a humanly engineered technological process for living. The dying phase of life is prolonged until biological knowledge is available to reverse the dying phase and restore the living phase.

Both cryonics and genetic engineering in their attempts to replace the organic process with the technological process disturb the delicate balance of the triad of life which each individual experiences -- faith, health, and justice.

Since law is a basic tool to achieve justice among human beings, how should it respond to the health argument of the cyronics' physician who views death as a disease which is curable? How should the law respond to the faith questions surrounding the cryonics patient? What am I? A block of ice. Who am I? A living, comatose patient or a dormant, static body with the possibility of a reverter. Why am I? A new human being now endowed with immortality through the triumph of life over death founded on man's current faith in the God called Technology.

Cryonics through its unbalancing of the traditional triad of life poses formidable challenges to the major institutions of faith, heath and justice. The practictioners in these institutions: clergy, physicians and lawyers must now reassess the rules of the game of life be they religious, medical or legal. This article offers insights to begin this reassessment.