Imagine living in a world where death is only a prolonged pause rather than the end.
In a future with cutting-edge medical treatment, novel technologies, and perhaps even immortality, a person who is dying today might wake up centuries later.
That's the goal of two cutting-edge scientific fields that seek to prolong life: cryonics and biostasis. Although the concept may seem like science fiction, actual scientists, medical professionals, and businesses are striving to make it a reality.
However, what is cryonics exactly? How does it operate? And is it truly possible to resurrect frozen people?
Let's explore this intriguing and contentious science in more detail.
Cryonics: What is it?
The practice of keeping people (or animals) at extremely low temperatures right after death in the hopes that they can be revived and healed by future technology is known as cryonics.
It is predicated on the straightforward idea that if we can adequately preserve the body now, science may eventually be able to repair it.
It is not claimed that cryonics can bring the dead back to life. Rather, it freezes people shortly after legal death, when the body has stopped working but before the identity and structure of the brain are totally gone.
The objective is to preserve tissues and cells until future technology can repair harm, treat illnesses, and bring about a new life.
What's the Difference Between Biostasis and Cryonics?
Although the terms are frequently used synonymously, there is one minor distinction:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cryonics | The process of preserving humans after legal death in the hope of future revival. |
| Biostasis | The broader idea of slowing down or pausing biological activity (can be used in medicine, not just after death). |
Think of cryonics as a particular application of biostasis, which is the general science of slowing or stopping life processes, for long-term preservation. It's similar to putting the pause button on a movie.
The Operation of Cryonics
Cryonics is a high-tech, delicate procedure. It must begin as soon as the person is formally pronounced dead.
Here's how it operates, step-by-step:
1. Stabilization
Within minutes after death is announced, a cryonics team takes over. To slow down cell death, they begin using ice packs to cool the body and pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.
2. Infusion of Cryoprotectant
Cryoprotectants, which are unique chemicals that stop ice crystals from forming, take the place of the body's blood.
This process, known as vitrification, transforms the body from a block of ice into a state akin to glass.
What makes this significant?
because tissues can be destroyed by ice crystals puncturing cells. Everything remains structurally sound after vitrification.
3. Dropping to -196°C
Following vitrification, the body is gradually cooled to liquid nitrogen's temperature of -196°C (-321°F).
All biological activity completely ceases at this temperature.
4. Extended Storage
A cryostat, which is a vacuum-insulated container filled with liquid nitrogen, is used to store the preserved body (or occasionally just the brain, in "neuro-preservation").
5. The Future Wait
The last action? Wait until medical science advances to the point where the person can be repaired, revived, and reanimated. This could take decades or even centuries.
Who's Engaging in It?
Although cryonics may sound specialized, there are legitimate businesses and academic institutions at the forefront of the field:
- (USA) Alcor Life Extension Foundation
- Institute for Cryonics (USA)
- Biostasis (Germany) Tomorrow
- Russia's KrioRus
Hundreds of people and pets have already been cryopreserved by them collectively, and thousands more have signed up for the future.
Why Would Someone Opt for Cryonics?
The reasons are incredibly human:
- Hope for a cure: Individuals who have terminal illnesses have faith that they will be cured by future medical advancements.
- Fear of dying: Cryonics may be able to help some people prolong their lives or even become immortal.
- Curiosity: Many people are fascinated by the prospect of visiting advanced worlds, seeing the future, or encountering new civilizations.
Dr. James Bedford, one of Alcor's first customers, was cryopreserved in 1967 and is still preserved today.
The Science of It
Understanding vitrification—the process that transforms tissues into a glass-like state without freezing—is essential to comprehending cryonics.
Cells are torn apart when the water inside them freezes because it expands and forms jagged ice crystals. Glycerol and ethylene glycol are examples of cryoprotectants that reduce the freezing point and replenish cell water to stop this damage.
Chemical reactions completely stop at -196°C.
This indicates that the body is frozen in time and does not deteriorate or decompose.
Is It Possible to Resurrect Someone Who Has Been Cryonic?
Can it really work? That's the big question.
No human or animal has ever been brought back to life from cryonic preservation as of yet.
Small-scale scientific achievements do exist, though:
- Fertility treatments can make use of frozen sperm and embryos.
- Certain worms and tardigrades are examples of simple animals that have withstood freezing and thawing.
- Research on organ preservation is moving closer to rewarming tissues without causing harm.
Therefore, although it is well beyond our current technological capabilities to revive an entire human, the underlying science is gradually progressing.
The Difficulties
There are many ethical and scientific obstacles to cryonics:
- Damage from Ice
- Technology for Reanimation
- Preservation of the Brain
- Ethical and Legal Concerns
Biostasis in Medicine: The Useful Sibling of Cryonics
Biostasis has direct medical potential, unlike cryonics. In order to save trauma patients or combat-wounded soldiers, doctors are looking into ways to momentarily slow or pause life.
Emergency preservation and resuscitation (EPR) is the practice of cooling patients to almost freezing temperatures in order to give surgeons more time to treat life-threatening injuries.
One day, medical advancements that make longer preservation—even revival—more feasible may result from this real-world biostasis.
Conclusion: The Prolonged Silence Ahead of the Future
At the nexus of science and fantasy, biostasis and cryonics serve as a link between the present and the future, life and death.
It's an experiment today. It might change the definition of life tomorrow.
Thanks to the technology that dared to freeze time, perhaps in centuries from now someone will wake up, stretch their arms, and breathe their first breath in a world that was previously only a dream.
Until then, cryonics holds out the intriguing promise that life, like a story, can be interrupted in the middle of a sentence and the next chapter can start.