1. What essentially is cryonics?
The Cryonics Institute indicates,
"That means that, upon being declared
legally dead, Mr. Williams' body was specially treated and cooled to
temperatures where physical decay essentially stops, and that he will
be
maintained in that state until such time as future medical science is
able to
restore him to good health."
Alcor is a cryonics laboratory with
the above stated intent, and their website's
home page indicates, "Cryonics, simply stated, is the rapid cooling of
a person’s body, usually in liquid nitrogen, in order to preserve
the tissue,
cellular and molecular structure in the hopes that future advancements
in science and technology will be developed to allow Alcor the scientific
means to repair the ravages of diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s,
Parkinson’s,
the effects of aging; thereby potentially restoring
the individual back to
good health."
These statements on the restoration of life after death are highly
questionable,
and should be subject to investigation, which is a purpose of
this website.
.
2. Isn't this process just to retain his DNA?
Cryonics
is not designed for DNA preservation, in this case it is for the
retention
and freezing an entire deceased body for future revitalization.
According to the Cryonics Institute, "...as for the
'cloning' idea in general,
it makes no sense to spend thousands of dollars cryopreserving an entire
person when a simple skin tissue
sample, or even a few hairs, may be
sufficient to preserve a person's DNA. As for 'selling cells' for human
cloning
when no human being has never as yet been cloned --well, it
seems to us there must be easier ways to make money.
It is true that the
Cryonics Institute does offer a DNA sample tissue service for members...,
at a cost of only $98
dollars (for the sampling kit and processing). But,
as far as selling tissue samples of patients goes, that is a
violation of both
CI policy and common-sense ethical behavior, and it is simply not done."
Futhermore, the Settlement
Agreement signed October 1, 2002 between
immediate family members (Barbara Joyce, John Henry, and Claudia)
stated as
follows.
Section 1.
"There will never by any sale or distribution of any kind of any portion
of
their father's body, DNA, or body fluids, and that no invasive scientific
testing, except any testing required as
part of the resuscitation process,
will occur. John Henry Williams will obtain any necessary contract
documentation
from Alcor to confirm its agreement to this provision."
.
3.
Is this only a family matter?
There are two parts to this case,
which include "intervention" (custody,
1996 Will, and power of attorney) and "treatment" (current process of
cryonics). While the former
may be considered a family matter, the
latter issue relates to the
process conducted in Arizona, which is the
primary concern of this website. This treatment process in Arizona
is an unproven potential misrepresentation, and should be subject to
investigation to substantiate its claim.
Furthermore, Ted Williams is a national icon and was an American
baseball hero. As such, across the country
many people are rightfully
concerned about his present treatment and condition, and through this
website, if they elect
to do so, they can actually assist.
In addition, the primary family proponent of cryonics treatment in this
case
is not present, and unfortunately passed away March 7, 2004.
.
4. Doesn't a person have the right to decide how their remains will be
treated?
Yes, and the 1996 Will specified a ceremony and cremation with his ashes
spread across the waters
off the Florida Keys along with those of his
Dalmatian named Slugger. Ted Williams never contracted for this treatment
in
Arizona.
A hand-written note was used to counter the original 1996 Will as justification
for cryonics placement.
This is referred to as a Holographic Will, and there
are two points to consider in this regard.
First, a Holographic Will must be entirely hand-written by a testator, which
is an individual
for whom it is intended. In this case, it was allegedly signed
by the subject, and wording was not his own
but prepared by the son.
Second, in the State of Florida, according to the Florida Code Section
732.501-502,
Holographic Wills are not valid. Twenty states permit such
Wills and Florida does not. In states which do permit
Holographic Wills,
they serve as expedient measures, and should be immediately incorporated
formally into any existing
Will to become part of the legal document.
This hand-written note
was not incorporated into the existing Will.
Regarding a potential resolution, please see the concluding statements
in
the articles entitled "Vinny, Vidi, Vici," and "Inherit the Wind"
posted on this website.
.
5.
Why would the Arizona Attorney General investigate this case?
Arizona has a highly effective and enforceable Consumer
Protection Fraud Act,
and anyone aware of suspect products and services in that state can submit
inquiry and complaint
forms found on this website.
In the past, the Attorney General's office has successfully addressed similar
controversial
cases. Unlike most jurisdictions, the Arizona AG is an elected
official, and thus more responsive to public interests.
The Arizona AG may
serve two consecutive four-year terms, and another election was conducted
in 2006 for the second
term.
