What follows is an article that appeared last year that is intended to explain to non-US people why it is difficult if not impossible for them to sign up with Alcor unless they emmigrate to the USA. The fact remains that if you want to use their virtification system then you do need to live near the facility. However Alcor are still offering "classical" cryopreservation, and if a foreigner is signed up and discovers that (s)he is dying (s)he may be able to relocate on a 6 month visa to be near the facility and use virtification instead of classical, if that is preferred. But don't think that such a plan would be very easy to execute under the circumstances described.
Reprinted from Cryonics magazine with permission:
Is it possible to become a member of Alcor without living in the US and being
a US citizen?
Alcor's mission is the "Preservation of Individuals Lives". As an
organization
offering a life-saving technology, we wish it were possible to make it
available to all who are interested, no matter where they live.
Unfortunately, since Alcor is dedicated to offering only the most advanced
technology possible this is not easy to do for two major reasons:
(1) As
technology advances, the delivery of highly technical biomedical services
becomes increasingly sophisticated, requiring greater surgical skills and more
advanced equipment and pharmaceuticals, and
(2) the problems associated with
funding mechanisms and dealing with a multitude of different legal systems are
also very difficult to overcome without undermining long term security for
both
Alcor and the patients in its care.
Technology is rapidly changing the face of our world. Biostasis, a very high
tech service, has grown out of what was once called "cryonics". In the
1970's
and 1980's there was very little difference between organizations that offered
cryonics services. The decade of the 90's began to develop a broad gap
between
the technologies of those providers, however. Today, Alcor is the only
organization that can offer vitrification, an advanced biostasis technology
that is currently only available for neuro-patients (for whom current day
technologies such as stem cell technology, genetic engineering, therapeutic
cloning, and future technologies like nanomedicine will be used to create
younger, stronger, healthier, and more productive bodies).
Vitrification through the use to cryogenic temperatures is a way of turning a
biological system into a glass-like state, rather than being filled with
damaging of ice crystals. The result is, as one would expect, far better
preservation. Better preservation and less damage are of particular
importance
in preserving the physical structures that are associated with memory and
identity. Alcor patients who receive this new cryo-vitrification procedure
are likely to have more of their memory and identity preserved.
The unfortunate side of this issue is that highly skilled and trained medical
personal must get to the patient rapidly. The longer the delay, the less
likely it is that vitirification will be possible, due to the damage to the
biological systems (the vascular and capillary beds) necessary to deliver the
protective chemicals to the cells themselves. This greatly increases the
importance of Alcor's standby procedures and skilled teams. It also means
that
the distances (and resulting time delays) experienced when a member lives at a
distance, are a major limitation on the ability to make these advances
available to members at a distance.
For Alcor Members who might need biostasis services while traveling abroad,
Alcor works closely with Rowland Brothers International Mortuary Shipping,
headquartered in London (with four generations of experience). Rowland
Brothers has a reputation for reliability and outstanding service that has
been
expressed to us by many sources including both international airlines and
local
morticians (whom we use to assist us with the legal forms and transport of our
patients during remote operations). In addition to their worldwide reputation
and network of agents familiar with the laws in all major countries, Tony
Rowland, the head of Rowland Brothers has given Alcor exemplary cooperation
and
assistance.
Alcor's team and facility in England, with over 15 certified Alcor
CryoTransport Technicians, is at the doorstep of Europe and is expected to be
our first line of defense in the event of any needs for Alcor Members
living or
traveling there. However, the ability to offer vitrification outside the
United
States will
not be possible at this time, for many of the same reasons that vitrification
is now only available for neuro patients. The scaling up
of the equipment and procedures will require
an extensive and expensive developmental program. Such capabilities must be
developed first at home before we can tackle the challenge of making these
available internationally. The great distances involved and obstacles such as
laws, embassy rules, and airline schedules tend to work against the need to
act
quickly.
Another problem is the difficulties of providing funding (since insurance is
usually used). This problem relates to the fact that Alcor must have secure
funding arrangements in order to carry out our primary responsibility: Which
is to first protect our patients already in biostasis first (this applies
to all
conflicts of interest, such as the needs of a new member trying to make
arrangements to become a biostasis member of Alcor).
In order to carry out our primary responsibility, Alcor must make sure that
our
long-term strength and stability as an organization is not jeopardized by the
financial problems that would result from unfunded biostasis operations.
Alcor
is still too small an organization with too little financial strength to be
able to write off 10% to 20% (or more) of it's cash flow (like many large
companies do, as a business judgement) and still remain solvent and secure for
the long term.
Financial security leads to the need to make sure that members have secure
funding mechanisms. This can present problems, of course, for persons who are
trying to arrange for membership. Such problems are often even more difficult
for persons who do not live in
the United States. Until solutions can be
found for this dilemma Alcor cannot accept new members outside the United
States unless they have American insurance or provide the funding in full, in
US dollars, in advance.
It is difficult to purchase insurance from a country where one is not a
citizen. Almost universally, insurance companies require
(1) that the insured
have either familial or business relationships that require they travel at
least once or twice to the insurance company's country,
(2) that all paperwork
be signed while the insured is in the country where the insurance company is
located, and
(3) that the paramedic exam, blood tests, urine tests, etc. be
done in the country where the insurance company is located.
This makes it difficult for a person to acquire an insurance policy in a
country in which they do not have citizenship. Many insurance agents
(including those on our list of agents who write insurance policies in this
country for the purpose of funding biostasis) have found that the difficulties
are so extensive, that they are not willing to put in the time and effort in
view of the low probability of success (as they are not compensated unless the
policy is actually put into force).
Because of these difficulties, Alcor has made a policy that we will not accept
an application fee and enter a person into the membership signup process until
the funding has been arranged. The $150 signup fee is good for 6 months.
Thereafter, if the applicant has not finished the process, Alcor begins to
bill
the applicant $25 per month to stay in the signup process. However, in view
of the difficulties foreign individuals will meet when trying to obtain
American insurance it is seldom possible for a person who does not live in the
U.S. to complete this process in six months (unless they are paying cash).
Knowing this, we do not feel it is ethical for us charge the signup fee unless
the funding problem has already been solved.
For that reason, Alcor does not enter a foreign individual into the signup
process or charge the signup fee for individuals outside America until they
have resolved the funding question. Upon request, we will forward one set of
the legal paperwork that you will be required to sign (in triplicate, when the
time comes) so that you can read these over and be aware of what you will be
agreeing to.
What is the Foreign Disclosure form?
Due to the problems described above, and to strive for good informed consent
from a non-US citizen who is interested in joining Alcor, we have a
specifically drawn informed consent form that must be signed by foreign
individuals in addition to our other legal paperwork.
Can a group of people set up a branch of Alcor Outside the US?
Every decision made within Alcor will affect, either directly or indirectly,
the long term safety and security of the biostasis patients in Alcor's care.
For that reason, all decisions made by Alcor personnel or directors must
consider the impact on those patients and place their interests before all
other considerations. Alcor cannot fulfill this mandate to the patients
and at
the same time accept the liabilities and problems that would be guaranteed if
we set up affiliated groups in non-English speaking
countries. With our current funding and personnel limitations, the only way
Alcor can help groups in other countries is to offer consulting services to
help them set up their own organizations.
Alcor would not be acting responsibly if it took time and other resources away
from its own members in order to help build other organizations. Therefore,
Alcor would have to ask substantial consulting fees to justify involvement
(fees that could then support Alcor's other members and obligations). A
substantial amount of money (in the order of $500,000.00 US, as a minimum),
for
equipment, training, medical personnel, and consulting fees) will be needed to
finance the startup of a capability equal to that offered by Alcor.
Are there other sources of information about foreign life extension groups?
See the following web sites:
http://www.onelist.com/community/cryonics-euro
http://members.wbs.net/homepages/c/r/y/cryonic4life/europe.html
INFORMED CONSENT
FOR INDIVIDUALS RESIDING OR TRAVELING
OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(Revised November 2000)
This Attachment is understood to be a part of the CONSENT FOR CRYONIC
SUSPENSION signed by the Member on ___________________________ (date and year)
between ___________________________________________(Donor) and the Alcor Life
Extension Foundation (Alcor).
1. I understand and accept that cryonic suspension is not consistent with
contemporary medical or mortuary practice. I understand that many physicians,
cryobiologists, and scientists in other disciplines discount any reasonable
possibility that cryonic suspension will be successful.
2. I understand and accept that the procedures used to place my remains into
cryonic suspension are technically sophisticated procedures that require
specially trained personnel, specialized equipment and pharmaceuticals, and
are
most beneficial if utilized as soon as possible after my heart stops
beating (a
condition known as "clinical death"). I understand that the difficulty of
transporting a skilled team, pharmaceuticals and/or equipment outside the
United States of America during an emergency, with little or no time to
coordinate and arrange such in advance, could meet with legal delays and
compromise the results of the procedure.
3. I understand that the laws and customs vary from country to country. I
agree and affirm that Alcor is not responsible for knowing the laws or customs
in other countries, and is not responsible for social, legal, economic, and
other problems that might make cryotransport, suspension, maintenance, or
resuscitation of my human remains illegal or impractical. This particularly
true if I am traveling or residing outside the United States at the time of my
cryotransport. The problems include, but are not limited to the following:
3.1. The forms that I have filled out with Alcor which confirm to the laws of
the United States of America to make possible my anatomical donation to Alcor,
and to therefore make possible my cryonic suspension, may not be accepted or
recognized by other countries.
3.2 Alcor may not be able to gain access to my remains in a timely manner
or at
all.
3.3 The inability of Alcor to place my remains into cryonic suspension without
extended time delays could result in extensive biological compromise.
3.4 The inability of Alcor to place my remains into cryonic suspension at
all.
Due to the possibility of events beyond Alcor's control, there are no
guarantees that my human remains will ever be cryonically suspended or will be
stored indefinitely if they are suspended.
4. I understand that it would be to my advantage to relocate near Alcor in
the
event of my physical decline, at my sole cost and responsibility, in order to
avoid the problems outlined above.
YOUR SIGNATURE BELOW CONFIRMS YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT:
1. You have read, understood, and consented to all of the provisions of the
CONSENT FOR CRYONIC SUSPENSION to which this is attached.
2. You are fully aware of and accept the risks and limitations explained in
this Addendum: Special Informed Consent for Individuals Residing or Traveling
Outside of the United States of America.
3. These limitations and risks have been satisfactorily explained to you by
the officers, representatives, and/or other personnel of Alcor.
4. You declare that the arrangements described herein, in conjunction with
the
Cryonic Suspension Agreement and the Authorization of Anatomical Donation,
constitutes your last wish as to the disposition of your human remains after
legal death.
_______________________________________
Signature of Member
However, the ability to offer vitrification outside the United States will
not
be possible at this time, for many of the same reasons that vitrification is
now only available for neuro patients. The scaling up of the equipment and
procedures will require an extensive and expensive developmental program.
Such
capabilities must be developed first at home before we can tackle the
challenge
of making these available internationally.
Two (2) witnesses are required to sign in the presence of each other and the
Member. At the time of signing, witnesses must not be relatives of the
Member,
health care providers of any kind, or officers, directors, or agents of
Alcor.
YOUR SIGNATURE AS WITNESS CONFIRMS YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT:
1. The Donor _________________________________________has represented to
you that Donor understands and agrees to the purposes and terms of this
ATTACHMENT A: SPECIAL IMFORMED CONSENT FOR INDIVIDUALS RESIDING OR TRAVELING
OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
2. The Donor has declared to you that cryonic suspension is Donor's last
wish as to the disposition of Donor's body and person after legal death.
WITNESSED THIS DATE _______________________ TIME ______________(a.m./p.m
Linda Chamberlain
President/CEO
Alcor Life Extension Foundation
7895 E. Acoma Dr., Suite 110, Scottsdale AZ 85260-6916
Phone (480) 905-1906 x 113 FAX (480) 922-9027
linda@alcor.org
The Alcor Life Extension Foundation was founded in 1972 as
a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, and has 43 patients
in biostasis as of January, 2001. Alcor is the world's only provider
of clinical cryovitrification with over 525 members who
have pre-arranged for biostasis. Alcor's Emergency CryoTransport
System (ECS) is a medical-style rescue network patterned after
Emergency Medical System (EMS). Alcor CryoTransport Technicians,
as with EMTs and Paramedics on an ambulance, are advised by our
Medical Director, Jerry Lemler MD or other physicians who are Alcor
members and/or contract physicians.
or read on ...
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