A German cryonics startup offers the opportunity for a second life, comparable in cost to a sports car. The question of whether cryonics is achievable or merely a false hope arises.
Parked on a green in central Berlin, an ambulance stands out due to its small size, almost toy-like appearance, marked with a thick orange stripe and a cluster of wires hanging from the ceiling.
To date, the startup has cryopreserved "three or four" people and five pets, with close to 700 individuals signed up. Their expansion across the entire US is scheduled for 2025.
Though no successful revivals have occurred post-cryopreservation, the potential outcome, even if revival were possible, might involve severe brain damage. Clive Coen, a neuroscience professor at King's College London, highlights the lack of evidence supporting the restoration of organisms with complex brain structures like humans, dismissing the concept as "preposterous".
During the process, bodies are cooled to sub-zero temperatures and infused with cryoprotective fluid to prevent ice crystal formation and tissue damage. The primary components include dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol, essential for cryopreservation.
The startup's aim is to advance medical technology to a point where the original cause of death, such as cancer, can be cured, allowing for the reversal of the cryopreservation procedure in the future.
Resistance against cryonics often stems from the strangeness of resurrecting the dead, yet Kendziorra compares it to the initial skepticism surrounding organ transplants, emphasizing the field's potential evolution.
Ethical dilemmas, particularly concerning ultra-cooling brains and bodies, remain prevalent in the industry, along with uncertainties regarding the storage and responsibility of clients' frozen bodies in the long term.
Amid these debates, some individuals, like Louise Harrison, view cryonics as a chance for potential future revival despite skepticism and the substantial financial investment required.
As the startup plans its US expansion, they aim to appeal to those intrigued by the possibilities of the future world. Despite uncertainties, Kendziorra remains optimistic about the success rate of cryonics compared to alternatives like cremation.