
The cryonic theory is a view that I find interesting on many levels. I first learned about the idea of cryonics as a young teenager; however, the notion has managed to remain fresh on my mind nearly four years later. Cryonics captivates me because of the possibilities it entails. Given the fact that cryonics has the capacity to make users practically immortal, it is hard not to take interest. Granted, there is controversy as to whether or not the process works. 

Part of the research question asks why people may choose to undergo the cryonic process. The research question brushes up against my values in the manner that Catholics believe in an afterlife. I am Catholic, but I personally am unsure if I believe in this. I also personally know many intelligent, Catholic adults that completely disagree with not only the theory of cryonics, but the reasoning behind why one would consider it as well. Knowing this fuels my desire to dive into the research process. I am a qualified writer for this assignment because I have researched and read several articles and studies pertaining to cryonics. 

The first source is a study conducted in Germany in 2015. The study suggests that one's willingness to accept the cryonic theory is directly influenced by one's view of death. Religion was a factor that played a role in many people's decision to side with cryonics; those that didn't follow any sort of religion swayed toward cryonics more than those that regularly practiced a religion (Lohmeier). One of the main topics that the study points out is that of religion. By use of statistics, the study states that the absence of religion in one's personal life makes one more keen to undergo the cryonic process; however, there are outliers included in the study (Lohmeier). At the bottom of the study, there is a biographical section that helps credit those involved with the experiment. Jens Lohmeier, the main author, is credible on the topic of cryonics because of his academic background. He attended RWTH Aachen University in Germany, as well as medical school.

The second source is an article that gives a brief overview about the history of cryonics. It also describes how cryonics is its own science, formed by the combination of cryogenics and biology (Gordon). The article then proceeds to list all the technical terminology that makes up cryonics. Some of these include cryocapsule, cryogenic interment, etc. 

What is at stake with the issue of cryonics? Not only is the patient affected, but his family as well. Often, family members oppose the cryonic workers' duty, when in reality, it is not their decision. Also, when someone pays to have his body cryopreserved, he knowingly accepts the risks involved. There is the possibility that in the future, cryonic care will become more expensive, and the patient's original payment may not cover this price increase (Gordon). The author of this source appears credible because of knowledge on cryonics. The article is an excerpt from American Speech, Vol. 50. The excerpt is titled The Vocabulary of Cryonics, and it thoroughly explains the cryonic theory. The author of The Vocabulary of Cryonics, W.T. Gordon, attended the University of Alberta, which is located in Canada. There is not much information on Gordon himself, which weakens the credibility of the source, but the University of Alberta specializes in research. One such area of research is that of science and medicine. 

The third source is an article that discusses the birth of cryonics and the early methods used to test the cryonic theory. Scientists used the organs from small mammals to test cryogenic preservation. Failed attempts led to the incorporation of chemicals to prevent ice crystals from destroying the organs. The main chemical that helped prevent the formation of ice crystals is glycerol. Later researchers discovered that through the process of vitrification, the formation of ice crystals is no longer an issue (Kaiser).

The main issue that the article presents is that of the ice crystals. When being cryopreserved, ice crystals can form inside organs, which can be detrimental if one wishes to use them again in the future. There are solutions to the problem. The chemical glycerol can help prevent the formation of ice crystals. The other solution is vitrification, which is the process of filling the organs with a substance that does not freeze at low temperatures (Kaiser).

The author of the article Jocelyn Kaiser, who has been a writer for Science Magazine for the past 21 years. Her education comes from Princeton University, where she received her degree in chemical engineering, and Indiana University, where she received her degree in journalism. Due to Kaiser's scientific background, the article may be biased.

At a glance, cryonics sounds straightforward. If one, for whatever reason, does not want to die, he can freeze himself, only to be revived in the future. The topic has debatable points to it. One of the main arguments made about cryonics is the possibility of the overall idea. Sceptics state that once chemically frozen, humans have no chance of being revived. Research, on the other hand, shows that it is in fact possible for organs to undergo the freezing process without being damaged. On top of that, said organs can be used in another organism. The perspectives offered by the sources are similar to my own; however, they differ from my opinion because they have far more depth to them. 

