The fourteen year old girl’s wish to be cryogenically frozen so that one day she could be revived, has caught imagination of the public. Although cryofreezing has been around for some time, it was a taboo subject until now, mainly due to court involvement who granted her wishes against family objection drawing public attention.
The science behind cryofreezing is still in its infant stage, iconoclastic scientist readily admitting that cryonics is wishful thinking, cryogenic business as “Hope Traders” that reviving may not happen for a century, if ever, although some body parts, especially long preserved embryos are successfully defrosted and implanted giving birth to healthy babies.
But brain cells deteriorate fast, even when frozen. The facilities are only available in America and Russia and only few dozen bodies are so preserved, one reason being exorbitant price tag, costing some £40k to preserve the body indefinitely.
Another morally disturbing question is even if it happens, is it worth it when everyone we knew would have long departed, technology advanced beyond recognition, one may feel like being an alien on another planet, life will not be easy or enjoyable.
Cryo-preservation is a fascinating subject that should caught imagination of AV readers, worth discussing, involving science, religious, moral and ethical sentiments. The ball is now in readers’ court.
Kumudini Valambia
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