G
Gamma.alpha.lambda
Member
Required reading: Google results on 1) Initiative 2045; 2) Alcor; 3) Ray Kurzweil
There are two organisations that I am aware of tackling the problem of human mortality.
These are Initiative 2045 and Alcor.
Initiative 2045 aims to introduce cybernetic indefinite life extension to the human population and with time make it more affordable.
Alcor is a cryonics institute that has been running for a few decades. They use the process of vitrification to preserve your brain or body. Neuropreservation costs about 80000 dollars plus some surcharges.
There are already insurance companies that offer life policies where upon death, the benefit is paid to Alcor who preserve your brain. Under current laws, this can only be done when a patient's heart stops beating and they are declared legally dead (and also occurrence of the claim event).
I feel that the insurance industry all over the world and actuaries in particular should aim to aid these organisations.
Possibilities are creating zero-benefit policies (i.e. Asking for donations from the public - contradicts expected utility theorem?) or possibly provide some form of benefit s.t. a policyholder can undergo the procedure contingent on the current technology available upon time of death.
The major problem to tackle is funding the research. This is where the insurance industry can make the biggest impact as insurance companies have access to the majority of the first world population with disposable income. Small amounts paid into a fund by a large sample of people could really make an impact on how the research progresses.
What are you guys' thoughts on the matter?
I'd actually like to focus my career towards involving myself in this research. Down with the tqx!
There are two organisations that I am aware of tackling the problem of human mortality.
These are Initiative 2045 and Alcor.
Initiative 2045 aims to introduce cybernetic indefinite life extension to the human population and with time make it more affordable.
Alcor is a cryonics institute that has been running for a few decades. They use the process of vitrification to preserve your brain or body. Neuropreservation costs about 80000 dollars plus some surcharges.
There are already insurance companies that offer life policies where upon death, the benefit is paid to Alcor who preserve your brain. Under current laws, this can only be done when a patient's heart stops beating and they are declared legally dead (and also occurrence of the claim event).
I feel that the insurance industry all over the world and actuaries in particular should aim to aid these organisations.
Possibilities are creating zero-benefit policies (i.e. Asking for donations from the public - contradicts expected utility theorem?) or possibly provide some form of benefit s.t. a policyholder can undergo the procedure contingent on the current technology available upon time of death.
The major problem to tackle is funding the research. This is where the insurance industry can make the biggest impact as insurance companies have access to the majority of the first world population with disposable income. Small amounts paid into a fund by a large sample of people could really make an impact on how the research progresses.
What are you guys' thoughts on the matter?
I'd actually like to focus my career towards involving myself in this research. Down with the tqx!