Cryonics (and how it relates to abortion and medical aid in dying)

 My sister recently died.  Her body was frozen for potential future restoration.  A relative expressed surprise that I “believe that dead people might perhaps be able to be restored to life after cryonics.”  Here is my response:

The key word is “might”; I suppose I do believe that people might be restored to life.  Here are my thoughts:

1. When I supported my sister’s wishes, I certainly did not expect her to be resurrected (and still don’t).  It was simply a case that our parents had left money to her.  If that was what she wanted to do with the money, I thought we should honor her wishes.
2. As I was going through the legal aspect of that possibility, I thought I should try to get appropriate protections in place, no matter how low the possibility.
3. Recently, I noted that it was good that her remaining assets were being held to care for her should she be restored.  I actually had mixed feelings.  Sure, that was good if she was to be restored.  But that money could have been put to better use to help the world.  I find that frustrating.
4. While I don’t expect her to be restored, I am aware that I don’t know what will happen in the future.  Scientists have created living clones of dead animals, even an animal that was extinct.  That would suggest that maybe some part of my sister’s body could be used to create a living human.
5. However, if she is restored, there are several issues including, but not limited to:
1. Would she have the same memories, personality, etc.?  I doubt it.
2. Would she be able to take care of herself in a future society which will have changed a lot?  I doubt it.
3. Would she live a happy, useful life under those circumstances?  I doubt it.
6. I have no interest in being frozen to be restored.

The cryonics issue overlaps partly with abortion and medical aid in dying.

• I am not a religious person, but I hear people argue against abortion because “we shouldn’t try to alter God’s intent”.
• However, those same people typically strongly favor extensive life-extending efforts when they are dying.  Isn’t that “trying to alter God’s intent”?
• Cryonics appears to be trying to alter God’s intent.

My position on these issues is:

1. Parents should have the right to abort a baby.  It should be the mother’s decision, but she should at least try to discuss the alternatives with the father if the baby was willingly conceived.
2. Medical aid in dying is a civil right.
3. I tolerate cryonics however it does not seem to be to be a civil right.  If a government outlawed cryonics, I wouldn’t object.  I do object to outlawing either abortion or medical aid in dying.