Cryonics is a controversial practice of freezing individuals after death, hoping for future resurrection. Cryonics believes that medical and scientific advances will make it possible to cure the diseases or aging that caused death. In this article, we will introduce the history and method, cost, problems, and possibilities of cryonics.
The history of cryonics
The method of cryonics
The method of cryonics is as follows.
- As soon as a death certificate is issued, the applicant’s body temperature is lowered by immersing it in ice water.
- While maintaining blood circulation with cardiac massage and artificial respiration, the applicant is transported to Alcor’s facility.
- The applicant’s blood is removed and a special protective agent is injected to prevent cell damage.
- The applicant is placed in a tank with air pumped out by a vacuum pump and cooled to -196 degrees with liquid nitrogen.
- The applicant continues to sleep in the tank, but hopes to be revived in the future.
The cost of cryonics
The cost of cryonics is high. The cost of whole-body cryopreservation is about 22.6 million yen (about 226,000 dollars), and the cost of head-only preservation is about 9 million yen (about 90,000 dollars). These costs can be paid by life insurance or bequest. These costs also include initial costs such as transportation and preparation, and maintenance costs such as tanks and facilities.
The problems of cryonics
Cryonics has many problems. First, it is uncertain whether medicine or science will really be able to treat the diseases or aging that caused death. Also, even if the cryopreserved people are resurrected in the future, it is doubtful whether they can adapt to the society and culture of that era. Furthermore, cryonics raises ethical issues. For example, what will be the legal status or rights of the cryopreserved people? Also, isn’t cryonics an unequal service that only the wealthy can use because of its high cost?
The possibilities of cryonics
Cryonics also has possibilities as well as problems. Cryonics can be considered as an alternative to expensive space travel. Cryopreserved people may be able to explore the future cheaply. For example, they may be able to migrate to Mars or other planets, or interact with aliens. Also, cryonics may be able to change the way people think about life span and death. Cryonics may be able to expand human potential.
Summary
Cryonics is a controversial practice of freezing individuals after death, hoping for future resurrection. Cryonics believes that medical and scientific advances will make it possible to cure the diseases or aging that caused death. We introduced the history and method, cost, problems, and possibilities of cryonics. Cryonics has many problems, but also possibilities. Cryonics may be able to explore the future cheaply or expand human potential.
