Every time I read about Robert Nelson it makes me wonder "Where is the accreditation commission to prevent or diminish the chances of unprofessional cryonics being practiced again?" It seems that cryonics still has no minimum barrier to entry and no one has bothered to do anything about it. If any of you see Mike I'd be curious to hear his thoughts on this.
It is not hard to predict what Mike would answer to this. The problem is not so much establishing formal requirements to work in cryonics but only to hire committed cryonicists who have a personal stake in keeping the organization's patients in cryopreservation. Being a cryonicist is necessary, but not sufficient. One thing Mike said during his talk is that the most important trait to look for is *trust* (if you are caught lying, you are OUT). Can the people who are leading contemporary cryonics organizations be trusted? Do they cover up mistakes? Are they always on the lookout for more talented cryonicists, or are they driving them out of the movement instead? Do they publish timely and honest case reports? How many "secret" (non-public) Board meetings does an organization have? Are members encouraged to participate in decision making or perceived as being ignorant and a threat to "stability?"
In the case of Robert Nelson, the patients thawed and died. But this does not mean that in absence of such events, the organization is providing good care. Any cryonics organization that offers standby and stabilization services can be evaluated in terms of quality of readiness and patient care. No improved technologies (such as vitrification) are going to do you much good if the organization is not able to timely employ and manage a capable standby team.
One thing that would have been unthinkable in the past is that it is currently possible to make a very good living in cryonics. And because people are rarely held accountable for anything in cryonics (or more precisely, at Alcor), this constitutes an ideal environment for scam artists and incompetent individuals. Most members of cryonics organizations tend to be in denial about such issues because the last thing they want to face is that the organization that represents their only escape from aging and death itself, is dysfunctional.
