Wealthy Freeze Themselves for Future Revival Hopes

Remember those sci-fi movies where astronauts go into cryosleep to survive the long journey to their destination, bypassing the need for food or resources? Films like Interstellar and Passengers have showcased this idea. Now, a similar concept is being explored by some companies that freeze individuals with the hope of reviving them in the future when technology permits. This method, known as cryopreservation, is becoming increasingly popular among billionaires, who are having their bodies frozen with the dream of one day being brought back to life.

This idea might sound far-fetched, something straight out of fiction. However, many wealthy individuals have taken this leap. In fact, 500 people worldwide have already undergone cryopreservation, with the majority being from the United States.

One notable facility, the Arizona-based Alcor Life Extension Foundation, has frozen 230 individuals and boasts a membership of 1,400.

Cryopreservation Process
The process of cryopreserving a human body is called vitrification. During this procedure, a person’s blood is replaced with a cryoprotectant solution to prevent ice crystals from forming, as these can damage cells and tissues. The body is then cooled to -196 degrees Celsius and stored in a vacuum-insulated metal container filled with liquid nitrogen.

Cost of Cryopreservation
This procedure comes with a significant price tag, making it accessible primarily to those with substantial wealth. At Alcor, the cost for whole-body cryopreservation is $220,000 (approximately Rs 2 crore). Alternatively, one can choose to preserve only the brain, known as neuro cryopreservation, for $80,000 (nearly Rs 66 lakh).

Guarantee of Revival
There is no guarantee that humans will ever develop the technology to revive a cryopreserved body and reverse the damage caused by the preservation process. The hope is to witness a future where terminal illnesses are eradicated and aging can be treated like any other disease.

Ensuring Survival After Revival
To ensure financial stability upon revival, individuals can set up a trust fund. At Alcor, for instance, $115,000 is placed in the Alcor Patient Care Trust for whole-body preservation, and $25,000 for brain preservation. This fund not only supports the maintenance of the cryopreserved body but also provides for the individual if they are successfully revived in the future.