I said earlier that it was a simple probate case. If this report from MSNBC is correct, it may become more than that, though the thrust of the story is that the family is working out their differences. It's hard to imagine how they could compromise, given the huge disparity between the positions--one side wants to literally destroy the body, the other to preserve it as best as can be done.

But according to the story, it may come down to a judge's decision as to what's the best solution. If that's the case, then the actual ethical and scientific case for cryonics (as opposed to simply attempting to determine the wishes of the "descedant") will become a factor in the judge's decision, which means that it could turn into a landmark case in the field of life extension, if the family doesn't resolve their differences.

I'll continue to watch it with great interest.

(Thanks to Alan Boyle over at MSNBC for the heads up.)

I suppose the Solomaic solution - preserve the head, and cremate the rest - is guaranteed to piss off everyone involved.