Ready to be cryopreserved? Human hibernation – which has always seemed like science fiction – is now also available in Switzerland and more than 400 people have requested it. The European company that made hibernation possible for Europeans is called Biostasis of tomorrowthe first to operate in cryopreservation in Europe, and promises to block the deterioration of the body after death by “freezing” it, with the hope of bringing it back to life in a few hundred years, even if the company -even gives no guarantee. this will be possible in the future.
The company, founded in 2019 by the German doctor Emil Kendziorrais based in Berlin, but already has its headquarters in Raft (canton of Zurich). four bodies in cells filled with liquid nitrogen has –196°C of temperature.
How cryopreservation works
Let’s start by saying that to be in hibernation the necessary prerequisite is to be dead, but not “too dead”. What we mean is that you need to be dead for an hour or less to prevent your body’s cells from dying. Without these essential requirements, it is not possible to start body cryopreservation, which has already been used for years to preserve human embryos and sperm insecurity. What is certain is that preserving a body presents a much higher level of difficulty. Tomorrow Biostasis transports the body of the deceased to an ambulance which performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation and administers oxygen with a breathing mask. Then, he (progressively) immerses the body in a tray of ice.
Once you have reached the center of Rafzblood is drained from the body and a mixture of is injected in its place antifreeze liquid and other chemicals to preserve organs (the “vitrification” process). Finally, the body is immersed in liquid nitrogen to nearly 200 degrees below zero in one 3 meter high steel cage. If the idea appeals to you, don’t worry Blackout: Electricity is not required for cryopreservation. And then remember that the center is in Switzerland, safe from earthquakes, tsunamis and wars for as long as the world can remember.
Is there any danger to the body?
Today, we are not certain of the success of this practice, but we can certainly wonder what the likely damage might be. How will the bodies be brought back to normal temperature? How will they be resuscitated? Will vitrification damage organs? According to certain scientists in particular the brain could suffer damage to the meninges and synapses. But the answers to these questions will only be given in the future.
How much does cryopreservation cost?
There is no temporal (or financial) limit on the duration of cryopreservation. The company has a special telephone, the Tomorrow’s Patients Foundation , which allocates income (from other funds) to very low-risk investments that return 1-2% each year. Thanks to this fund, it is able to cover the costs of managing the cryopreservation of patients, who can “sleep” peacefully until the day when medical technology succeeds in bringing them back to life. Maybe you won’t succeed, but if you have the opportunity and the desire, why not try?
A practice for the rich
The Tomorrow Biostasis site is no different from many other sales sites, in that instead of selling more or less serious commercial products, it offers “packages” for hibernation. Anyone who wishes can choose the option “ the whole body » – that is to say, preserving the entire body – with insurance coverage of up to 200 thousand euros; those who have less money to spend or who do not love their body but their brain can also preserve only the latter, by paying 60 thousand euros. For those who want to If you’re considering it but have doubts (or can’t even afford the cheapest plan), you can also make a monthly donation for research on the site.
In any case, the Swiss company is not the only one to offer this type of service: there are also American companies with it. Cryonics And Achor and Russian KrioRus, but don’t expect better prices. Currently in the world, there are 377 people who hibernate (including 15 Italians!)and the waiting lists to meet the same fate grow longer from year to year.
Of course, one wonders: why would you want to live a life in which the people you care about are all dead? Those kept here generally love life, would like to experience many things (which cannot be done in one lifetime), and would like to see what the future will be like. A choice that may be questionable for some, but not for those who ask: we are mainly talking about men aged 25 to 45 who work as doctors, engineers, computer scientists and scientists.
Will being immortal remain a dream or will it come true? Only time can give the answer, but one thing is certain: this dream that once smacked of science fiction is now real, but it is clear that it will not be the prerogative of everyone.
