Cryonics: the theory and practice of preserving life by freezing
Cryonics is the science and practice of preserving living beings, including humans, in a frozen state with the goal of future revival.
It is based on the premise that death is a process, not an instantaneous event, and that many of the body’s functions can be restored with the help of future technologies.
Cryonics utilizes special substances called cryoprotectants, which protect cells and tissues from the damage caused by ice crystal formation.
Cryonics also grapples with a wide spectrum of challenges and prospects, spanning ethical, social, psychological, scientific, and technological domains.
A history of cryonics: from ancient myths to modern science
The concept of preserving life through freezing for future restoration has ancient roots. For example, Greek mythology tells the legend of Demeter and Persephone.
When Persephone was kidnapped by Hades, the god of the underworld, her mother Demeter, the goddess of fertility, grieved so deeply that she caused winter on Earth, freezing all living things.
Zeus mediated an agreement where Persephone would spend part of the year in the underworld and the other part with her mother. When Persephone returned, spring arrived and life was reborn.
In the 17th century, French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes proposed a theory that living beings are mechanisms composed of parts that can be replaced or repaired.
He argued that death was the cessation of the mechanism’s movement, not the departure of the soul.
He speculated that if one could halt this movement and preserve the mechanism in the cold, it could be restored in the future.
In the 19th century, German physiologist and physicist Ernst Heinrich Weber studied the effects of low temperatures on living organisms.
He discovered that some organisms, like yeast, bacteria, and fungi, could survive in a state of anabiosis—a temporary suspension of life functions during unfavorable conditions.
He also noted that creatures such as fish, amphibians, and reptiles could adapt to low temperatures by lowering their metabolism and body temperature.
He hypothesized that if a human could be frozen in a state of anabiosis, it might be possible to revive them later.
In the 20th century, American writer Robert Heinlein explored the idea of cryonics in several of his science fiction novels.
For example, his novels such as «The Door into Summer» (1957), «The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress» (1966), and «Time for the Stars» (1956)
all feature protagonists who enter cryogenic suspension to escape present-day predicaments and awaken in the future.
In 1962, scientist and writer Robert Ettinger published «The Prospect of Immortality,» where he coined the term «cryonics.»
He proposed freezing people who were dying from incurable diseases in the hope that they could be revived and treated in the future. He also founded the Cryonics Society of America, the first organization of its kind.
In 1967, James Bedford became the first person to be cryopreserved after his death from kidney cancer.
His body was placed in a special container filled with liquid nitrogen and is still stored at a cryonics facility.
In 1986, K. Eric Drexler published the article «Molecular Engineering: An Approach to the Development of General Capabilities for Molecular Manipulation,» which heavily influenced the cryonics field.
He proposed using nanotechnology to repair the damaged cells and tissues of cryopreserved individuals. He envisioned nanorobots that could mend and enhance the human body, and even create artificial organs and tissues.
In 1991, Gregory Benford’s novel «Timescape» described a future where cryonics was commonplace, allowing people to be frozen for long periods to escape disasters, wars, illnesses, or simply out of choice.
In 2005, Robin Hanson published the article «The Economics of Cryonics,» analyzing its social, economic, and ethical facets.
He argued that cryonics is a rational and effective method of life preservation and that wider adoption would increase the chances of future revival.
He also predicted that cryonics would eventually become more accessible, popular, and prestigious.
Theoretical foundations of cryonics: redefining life and death
Cryonics rests on several key theoretical premises:
- Death is a process, not a moment. Death occurs when an organism ceases to function as a cohesive whole, and its functions cannot be restored using currently available technologies.
However, this doesn’t mean the organism is irretrievably destroyed. Therefore, from the perspective of cryonics, death can be viewed as a relative and potentially reversible state, rather than an absolute and final one. - Life is information. Life is defined less by an organism’s physical composition and more by the information that dictates its structure and function.
This information, contained within molecules like DNA, RNA, and proteins, comprises the cells and tissues.
This information can be preserved, transmitted, copied, modified, and ultimately restored using various technologies. Therefore, life can be seen as an informational process rather than a static, material object. - The future is unknowable. The future is shaped by a multitude of factors that cannot be precisely predicted or controlled.
It may be better or worse than the present, depending on advancements in science, technology, society, and culture.
The future could present new opportunities or new threats to life. Therefore, the future is best viewed as uncertain and in flux, rather than pre-determined and static.
Mummification, cryonics, and transplantology: the evolution of organ and tissue preservation and transfer technologies.
A Research Study.
1. From mummification to transplantation: a comparative study of life preservation technologies→
2. Mummification: ancient practices and modern research.
A history of mummification in different cultures: Egypt, China, India, and South America→
2.1. The influence of mummification on the history of science: anatomy, medicine, chemistry, and biology.
Modern research on mummies: methods and scientific discoveries→
3. Cryonics: the theory and practice of preserving life by freezing→
3.1. Practical implementation of cryonics: cryoprotectants, freezing, and vitrification.
Problems and prospects of cryonics: a multifaceted view→
4. Transplantology: organ and tissue transplantation.
The history of transplantology: from early experiments to clinical practice and public acceptance→
4.1. Organ and tissue transplantation: types, methods, indications, contraindications, and outcomes→
4.2. Cryopreservation of organs and tissues for transplantation: goals, principles, technologies, and efficacy.
Challenges and prospects in transplantation medicine: immunological, infectious, oncological, ethical, and organizational aspects→
5. Conclusion: a comparative analysis of mummification, cryonics, and transplantology→
5.1. Directions for Further Research→
Other articles about my school projects→
This article in Russian→