Life Beyond Death: Cryonics

Cryonics is a technology that preserves the body at very low temperatures, hoping to revive it in the future. For some, it’s the best way to prolong life; for others, it’s a costly gamble. Let’s look at cryonics, who’s working on it, and what lies ahead.

What is Cryonics?

Cryonics preserves a person’s body at very low temperatures after legal death. The goal is to stop decay and keep cells intact until future technology can revive them. Unlike typical freezing, cryonics uses vitrification, in which body fluids are replaced with cryoprotectants to prevent the formation of harmful ice crystals. By cooling the body to -190°C, the death process is “paused,” which scientists hope will allow for revival in the future.

The History of Cryonics

1773: Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s founding figures, once wrote to scientist Jacques Dubourg,

“I wish there were a way to freeze people and wake them later. I would love to see America 100 years from now, even if only for a day.”

Franklin believed future science might make this possible, showing an early fascination with “pausing” life.

1962: Physicist Robert Ettinger published The Prospect of Immortality, suggesting that freezing people could preserve them until future medical breakthroughs.  Ettinger even planned to be frozen at death, exemplifying his relentless ambition to conquer mortality.

1970s: Inspired by Ettinger’s book, Evan Cooper founded the Life Extension Society, advancing cryonics from theory to experimentation. The Cryonics Institute, where some of the first serious preservation experiments happened, began to explore methods to freeze humans without causing damage.

1967: Psychology professor James Bedford was the first person frozen. Due to limited technology, his preservation faced challenges, and some cells were reportedly damaged. *For those frozen using cryonics, the anniversary of this process is called 'Bedford Day.'

Tomorrow Biostasis: A Fresh Player in Cryonics

For many years, few companies operated in this field. In the new world, there are dozens of them. Tomorrow Biostasis is a Berlin-based company operating in cryonics. This method provides preservation services to people who want to have a chance at life in the future. It works with the European Biostasis Foundation in Switzerland to preserve bodies long-term. Its process, called SST (Standby, Stabilization, and Transport), is designed to keep bodies in the best condition for preservation immediately after death. Tomorrow Biostasis calls it an “ambulance to the future,” offering members a potential path to long life.

Here is the website of Tomorrow Biostasis if you would like to discover more: https://www.tomorrow.bio/

Challenges in Cryonics

Cryonics aims to stop decay, but reviving a human body is still impossible. So far, only small animals and cells have been frozen and revived. Reviving a complex brain and body without losing memories and personality remains an unsolved problem. Despite these challenges, cryonics companies like Tomorrow Biostasis continue their research, hoping that developments will one day make resuscitation possible.

Growing Interest and Investment

As interest grows worldwide, more people are investing in cryonics. The 2024 Global Cryonics Summit in Miami brought together big names from the worlds of science and business to showcase the latest developments in cryonics technology. This suggests that people are taking cryonics seriously as a potential way to extend life.

Ethical Questions

Cryonics raises big ethical questions: What is life? Is it moral to preserve bodies that have no guaranteed future? Critics say cryonics may be selling a dream that will never come true. Others argue that it offers a slight chance for future life. For those who choose it, cryonics is about hope and the possibility of a second chance.

Key Takeaway

Cryonics is a blend of science and hope. While we may not yet be able to revive cryopreserved humans, companies like Tomorrow Biostasis are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Only time will tell whether cryonics will be a groundbreaking achievement or an ambitious experiment.

I believe this could lead to discoveries we can't yet see. Ultimately, the pursuit of preserving life may change our understanding of what it means to be human and reshape how we think about time and existence.

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I am a longevity enthusiast, and I connect with thought leaders, share insights, and explore the frontiers of healthspan. I am a lifelong learner of longevity, and I am building a community where we can all come together to learn more about the field. We discover new ideas, explore opportunities, and support each other in our journey toward extended and fulfilled lives.

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