I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the current controversy regarding the Ted Williams situation.On the second of July the paperwork for my own suspension process had been finalized. Although I don't know the intricate details between the family members, thus far the reporting has been based on one side that has taken to voice opposition within the media. In spite of this, I think it is of utmost importance that the family conflicts not be confused with the legalities of cryonic suspension, but distinguished from each other. These claims are an issue of resolving legal documentation. Rights have already been established, cryonic suspension is legal. We have the right to decide what is to happen to our remains, cremation, burial and even suspension.
The reactions that have been raised in the media are to be expected. We have thus far lived and died, and this is a conditioned response. We have built theories of immortality in many forms through out all generations to suppress our fears of death. A change in these established choices is a shock to the structure that has been cradled by them. Many challenges along the way with new freedoms of choice have often been protested and new choices have prevailed. We as an evolving people are constantly learning to live with choices that other people make. To respect other people and in fact if not their choices for oneself, their right to make them for themselves.
There have been comments made by the media that insinuate the selection of cryonic suspension is equal to ridiculous. There are on the other hand, those who are aware of the emerging technologies and their future potential to apply to the revival process of suspension. I suggest that a majority of the mainstream is not aware of these technologies and that this type of media attention may promote more of an interest in these areas. My personal reasons for suspension are all non-profit and simply self preservation. Like most people, I am not looking forward to death. When I first began reading about things like artificial intelligence, robotics, and nanotechnology it became very clear that we may one day have cell repairing machines. These developing technologies will make possible the inexpensive manufacture of trillions of microscopic robots that can be injected into cryonics patients to repair damage at the cellular and molecular levels.
There are a lot of things that come to mind as I think about cryonic suspension. All those rock stars who have died at an early age, and the news reporters who say, "what a loss this is for us, who knows how many more beautiful songs were left in them."
The young child who died of a disease and never got to experience life, the prom, graduation, getting married and having babies of their own. What if they could be brought back, disease free, and not only that but free of the residuals from the disease they had.
My own personal chance at sharing all the time in the world with my husband who is signed up as well. Perhaps it is true: I love you forever! To find out how long it would take me to maximize the use of my mind with all the time I would have to read and learn and absorb knowledge. Even psychologically and behaviorally, I could advance to become a better person. Over the years of my natural life I have made mistakes and have learned from them, this time through experiences has sculpted me and I would like the opportunity to strive even further as a person.
If in fact reanimation has a chance of failure, it is a risk I am willing to take, because in fact, I am not losing anything by taking it. I know that there is a 100% chance that if I am buried or cremated in the traditional way, I will not come back. Even if the percentage of successful revival from biostasis is 0.1%, the odds are still in my favor. If it doesn't work, I won't know the difference, but if it does…..
This is not to say that I would prefer cryonic suspension as opposed to the alternative, my signing up for the procedure is merely a back up measure if in case revolutionary sciences such as nanotechnology do not arrive in my life time. If indeed nanotech does arrive in the time I am alive, I will not require cryonic suspension, as these microscopic machines could repair damaged cells while I am living. In this case I would go on living in a youthful and healthy manner indefinitely.
I maintain the website Nanotechnology Industries at http://www.nanoindustries.com
to distribute information, provide resources and a forum of discussion about nanotechnology with the goal of sustaining and supporting technological growth. It is my hope that the site will encourage and educate the visitors to develop more research in those future sciences that will lead us to happier, disease free, less polluted, less hungry and longer lives.

Gina Miller Copyright July 11, 2002