Cryonic

Cryonics is the low-temperature freezing (usually at −196°C or −320.8°F or 77.1K) and storage of a human corpse, with the speculative hope that resurrection may be possible in the future. Cryonics is regarded with skepticism within the mainstream scientific community. It is not currently possible to revive a body that has been cryonically preserved.

History

The concept of cryonics was first proposed in 1962 by Robert Ettinger in his book The Prospect of Immortality. Ettinger suggested that freezing people who could no longer be kept alive by contemporary medicine might allow them to be revived by future medical technologies.

Process

The cryonics process begins immediately after legal death. The body is cooled in an ice bath to reduce metabolism and then treated with cryoprotectants to prevent ice formation during the freezing process. The body is then placed in a container filled with liquid nitrogen and stored at cryogenic temperatures.

Cryoprotectants

Cryoprotectants are substances used to protect biological tissue from freezing damage. Common cryoprotectants include glycerol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

Legal and Ethical Issues

Cryonics raises several legal and ethical issues. In most jurisdictions, cryonics can only be performed after legal death has been declared. There are also ethical concerns about the consent of the individual and the potential for future revival.

Organizations

Several organizations offer cryonics services, including the Alcor Life Extension Foundation and the Cryonics Institute. These organizations provide the necessary facilities and expertise for cryopreservation.

Criticism

Cryonics is often criticized for its speculative nature and the lack of scientific evidence supporting the possibility of future revival. Critics argue that the process may cause irreversible damage to the body, making revival impossible.

See Also

• Cryobiology
• Suspended animation
• Life extension
• Transhumanism
• Robert Ettinger
• Alcor Life Extension Foundation
• Cryonics Institute