Cryonics and society: Freezing at death with hopes of scientific resurrection

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• March 28, 2022

Insight summary

Cryonics, the process of preserving clinically dead bodies in the hope of future revival, continues to spark intrigue and skepticism in equal measure. While it offers promise of longevity and preserving intellectual capital, it also presents unique challenges, such as potential socio-economic divide and increased strain on resources. As this field continues to grow, society may see developments in related medical fields, new job opportunities, and a reshaping of attitudes towards aging.

Cryonics and society context

Scientists who study and practice in the field of cryonics are called Cryogenists. As of 2023, the freezing procedure may only be performed on corpses that are clinically and legally dead or brain dead. The earliest record of an attempt at cryonics was with the corpse of Dr. James Bedford who became the first to be frozen in 1967.

The procedure involves draining the blood from a corpse to halt the dying process and replacing it with cryoprotective agents shortly after death. Cryoprotective agents are a mixture of chemicals that preserve the organs and prevent the formation of ice during cryopreservation. The body is then moved in its vitrified state to the cryogenic chamber which has sub-zero temperatures as low as -320 degrees Fahrenheit and filled with liquid nitrogen. 

Cryonics is not void of skepticism. Numerous members of the medical community think it's pseudoscience and quackery. Another argument suggests that cryogenic revival is impossible, as the procedures could lead to irreversible brain damage. The ideology behind cryonics is to preserve bodies in a frozen state until medical science advances to a level—decades from now—when said bodies can be safely unfrozen and successfully revived through various future methods of call rejuvenation aging reversal. 

Disruptive impact

Up to 300 corpses in the US have been recorded as stored in cryogenic chambers as of 2014, with thousands more signing up to be frozen after death. Many cryonics companies have gone bankrupt, but among those that have survived include The Cryonics Institute, Alcor, KrioRus, and Yinfeng in China. Costs for the procedure range between USD $28,000 to $200,000 depending on facility and package. 

For individuals, the possibility of revival after decades or even centuries presents a unique opportunity to extend life, but it also raises complex ethical and psychological questions. How will these revived individuals adapt to a world that may be vastly different from the one they left? The idea of creating communities with other revived people is a fascinating solution, but it may need to be supported by counseling and other resources to help these individuals adjust.

Alcor has also made provisions in their business model that keep tokens of emotional value that belong to the subjects that could help them reconnect with their past, while also reserving part of the cost for cryogenics for an investment fund that subjects can access upon revival. The Cryonics Institute invests a portion of patients' fees into stock and bonds as a kind of life insurance for these people. Meanwhile, governments may need to consider regulations and support systems to ensure that this trend is managed responsibly. These systems could include oversight of the companies involved, legal frameworks for the rights of revived individuals, and public health measures to ensure the safety and well-being of those who choose this path.

Implications of cryonics 

Wider implications of cryonics may include:

• Psychologists and therapists working to develop a means for helping these clients with the potential psychological effects that cryonics may produce upon revival. 


• Companies like Cryofab and Inoxcva producing more cryogenic equipment in response to the growing demand for liquid nitrogen and other tools for the procedure. 


• Future governments and legal statutes having to legislate for the revival of cryogenically preserved humans so that they can reintegrate into society and access government services.


• The growth of a new industry, creating novel job opportunities in biology, physics, and advanced material sciences.


• An enhanced focus on cryonic technology spurring advancements in related medical fields, potentially yielding benefits in organ preservation, trauma care, and complex surgical procedures.


• The possibility of extending human life reshaping societal perspectives on aging and longevity, fostering greater empathy and understanding toward issues associated with older age groups.


• The preservation of intellectual capital providing invaluable knowledge and experience to collective human intelligence and contributing to the continuity and evolution of scientific and technological breakthroughs.


• The advancement of sustainable energy solutions, as the industry's power demands could stimulate research into more efficient and renewable power sources for long-term use.

Questions to consider

• Do you think cryogenically revived people will face stigmas from the new society they might wake up into and what might they be? 


• Would you like to be cryogenically preserved at death? Why?