The human race has a remarkable inclination to better itself. Each generation brings new ideas, some of which help drive civilization forward. Some ill-conceived notions from past decades still linger in modern society's expanding recollection. One such concept, cryonics, remains relevant today. Devised in the 1960s, the cryonic theory suggests organisms can be frozen, preserved, and thawed, after which new life becomes obtainable. Nearly 50 years of research has been conducted since the original hypothesis; today, cryonics seems more feasible than ever before. Research indicates cryonics is possible physically, financially, and technologically. 

Although the modern cryonic theory was developed in the 1960s, previous speculations occurred in the early 20th century. Physicist and mathematician John Desmond Bernal was a noted pioneer in the pre-cryonic movement. Bernal published an essay on "the disembodied brain in a vat" in the 1920s (Parry). At the time, the idea of freezing a significant body part only to be reused in the future was unheard of. Not only did scientists lack the necessary technology, but also the concept seemed close to ridiculous. Bernal was among the first scientists to discuss genetic engineering, which led to the proposal of futuristic beings: humans and machines merged together. The method behind Bernal's proposition involved the brain being surgically removed from the human body, after which it would be preserved in room-temperature fluids (Parry). This was the basis for the birth of modern cryonics.

The modern cryonic theory originated in the 1960s. Scientists experimented with the preservation of embryos and organs at exceedingly low temperatures. This field eventually earned its own name: cryobiology, formed by the coalition of the sciences cryogenics, or extremely low temperature physics, and biology (Gordon). Through the application of glycerol, a type of laxative, scientists learned how to freeze embryos without ice crystals forming, which caused irreparable damage to cells. This technique was more successful in cryopreserving embryos than organs. Even when applied to organs, some diminutive structures still managed to experience ice crystal formation (Kaiser). Scientists' answer to this problem was vitrification, a method of cryopreservation that did not require ice to be used; instead a gelatin-like substance was added to the organ, allowing it withstand low temperatures. While vitrification yielded better results than the glycerol method, problems still occurred. The substance used to fill organs during vitrification was toxic; therefore, the method had the potential to succeed, but the destruction of organs was also possible. In the 1980s, vitrification was proven effective by Gregory Fahy, a Red Cross scientist who used the method to transfer kidneys from one rabbit to another. Vitrification underwent accommodations for the next 20 years (Kaiser). In March of 2000, Organ Recovery Systems announced they had established a method of vitrification in which "vessels retained 80% of their function when dosed with drugs that cause them to contract, compared to 20% following simple freezing" (Kaiser). Cryopreservation was no longer a theory, but an advanced practice.

Research on cryonics has made great strides since the 1960s. Countless experiments, successful and unsuccessful, shaped the methods for modern cryopreservation. The first completely triumphant trial occurred in February, 2016. Scientists Robert McIntyre and Gregory Fahy at 21st Century Medicine cryopreserved a mammal brain; upon its defrosting, McIntyre and Fahy reported the brain was in perfect condition (Thomson). An organ's composition includes water; normally, when attempting to defrost organs, water damage transpires. Older methods of cryopreservation utilized cryoprotectants such as glycerol to help control water damage caused by ice crystals. These techniques worked, but only if the cryoprotectants were added at the correct pace; applying cryoprotectants too fast generally ensured the shrinking and dehydration of the brain. McIntyre and Fahy invented a strategy which eliminates any possible dehydration. The first step in their procedure was to substitute the organ's blood with a chemical called glutaraldehyde, which impedes all decay (Thomson). Without having to worry about the brain decomposing, McIntyre and Fahy then steadily employed the cryoprotectants. The final task was cryopreserving the brain at -135 degrees Celsius. The scientists performed the contemporary method on rabbit brains, which were frozen for a week. Once thawed, the brains were closely examined by McIntyre and Fahy, who noted "the individual connections between neurons remained intact. Such connections, known as the connectome, are thought to be vital for preserving personality and memory" (Thomson). 21st Century Medicine researchers provided a manifestation of the theory by cryopreserving worms; after they were thawed, the worms proved their eating patterns had not changed, due to their connectomes, which remained intact throughout the cryopreservation process (Thomson). This groundbreaking discovery indicates the possibility for organisms to successfully undergo the cryonic process. While research is still being conducted, humans have already seized the opportunity to obtain immortality through cryonics. 

In the United States, three existing locations offer cryonic services to humans. The three sites are the Cryonics Institute in Clinton, Michigan, the American Cryonics Society in Sunnyvale, California, and the Alcor Life Extension Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona (Clark). The Cryonics Institute was founded in 1976 by Robert Ettinger, who received the label "father of cryonics" for his dedication to the field. Today, Ettinger is situated in a cryonic storage unit at his own institute, which is currently managed by his son, David Ettinger. The Cryonics Institute has serviced over 200 people since its establishment in 1976 (Lupkin). In order to begin the cryonic process, the patient must be pronounced legally dead. Many cryonic users take recommended measures to assure a smooth transition from their location of death to the cryonic institution where they will be preserved (Lohmeier). Some cryonicists wear bracelets with instructions to begin cooling the head, which is an important step in preventing decay; tattoos are another common means of instruction (Romain). Like any other medical service, cryopreservation costs money. Cryonics is a serious investment; the cost to cryopreserve a person varies from $28,000 to $150,000 (Lupkin). The main factor in price determination is how the patient chooses to be preserved. There are two options: full body cryopreservation, and cryopreservation of the brain only, which is called neuropreservation. When a person signs a contract with his institution of choice, he agrees to pay annual fees, and prepare for the main payment to preserve his body (or brain) for the future. People are also given the option to buy life insurance policies through their cryonic institution. These policies appeal to middle-class citizens; most cryonicists are Americans who fall under the middle-class income category (Romain). The cost of cryopreservation covers the chemicals and technological equipment used in the process.  

The necessary technology required to make cryonics possible exists; people across the planet invest in cryonics, and as a result, they are immersed in a world of modern technology. Just as research pertaining to cryonics advanced over time, so have the means used to evince said research. John Desmond Bernal's idea of cryopreservation involved the surgical removal of the brain; once completed, the organ was to be submerged in a tank of cerebral-spinal fluid, which he believed was key for preservation (Parry). Today, an alteration of Bernal's hypothesis exists. Two types of cryopreservation are available to the public, one of which is neuropreservation, or the cryopreservation of the brain only (Shoffstall). Instead of being placed in vat of fluids, cryoprotectants are administered to the bodies or organs of patients, creating a chemical endurance to the extremely low temperatures experienced during cryonic suspension. Cryopreservation, or cryonic suspension, takes place inside a cryocapsule, which is essentially a large freezer (Simon). Other names for the cryocapsule include include cryogenic storage unit, freezing locker, freezing coffin, and time capsule (Gordon). The cryocapsule is an astounding piece of technology. Newer models are used today, but the first prototype was developed in the 1980s. The size of each unit varies; individual lockers were the norm in the past, while today's versions are designed to hold up to 4 patients for hundreds of years at a time (Simon). The process seems straightforward, but thought provoking questions and concerns have risen over the years. 

Cryonics is a controversial topic not only in the scientific community, but amongst ordinary people as well. Many arguments against cryonics exist, some of which can be resolved by altering one's mindset; others, however, are rooted in deep complication. A simple argument opposing cryonics expresses the patient will have no reason to live once revived. His family and friends will be deceased, and the world itself may be an entirely different place. Similar cases claim the cryonicist will become bored of life (Shaw). A more practical argument is the patient would still carry the disease that caused his legal death upon revival. Legitimate arguments tend to involve money (Shaw). Perhaps no cure is found for the patient's disease within the projected time frame of his cryonic suspension; eventually, his initial investment would not be enough to pay for his continuous preservation. The most recurring objection averse to cryonics is the lack of technology needed to reanimate patients (Shaw). Today, there is no certainty that a cure will be found for every disease; more importantly, modern technology does not possess the capability to defrost bodies without causing grievous damage to human tissue (Shaw). While these feuds pertain only to the people receiving cryonic suspension, there are also many ethical expostulations. Environmentalists have expressed attempting to cryopreserve people for potentially hundreds of years would control a substantial amount of resources. These resources range from liquid nitrogen to human organs. Through the eyes of many, cryonics is seen as a selfish practice (De Wachter). Consequently, it seems unethical to spend one's life insurance on the betterment of oneself, as opposed to the money going toward family or children, or perhaps charity. Another ethical, as well as legal problem concerning cryonics is death itself. In order for a person to begin cryopreservation, he must legally be dead (Shaw). Normally, when a person dies, his life insurance pays out and the distribution process for his inheritance commences; however, by submitting himself to cryopreservation, the person plans to, and potentially may be brought back from the dead, causing a dilemma in customary, post-death affairs (Shaw). While some of these arguments can be resolved without much complication, others demand serious consideration.

Solutions, actual and potential, exist for all arguments aimed at cryonics. When a person chooses to brave the cryonic process, he understands he will no longer be able to enjoy the company of his family and friends, as well as a sense of familiarity once he is thawed. The person's goal is to evade death, and once he is defrosted, his objective will be completed (Shaw). The argument claiming the cryonicist will become tired of life can be refuted in a similar manner as the previous case; the person chooses what he wants, and he will likely accept the risk of future weariness on his quest for immortality (Shaw). As for the objection claiming the patient will still carry the disease which caused his death, and his primary investment falling short, solutions prevail. The intention of cryopreservation is to store people until their cause of death, which is usually a rare disease, can be cured, or in this case, reversed. Patients pay to secure their own cryonic suspension for hundreds of years, by which time prospective remedies may be discovered (Shaw). Cryonics does not verify patients will be revived, but rather provides the possibility. The process involves risk, but if successful, the ends outweigh the means. As stated previously, the most common demur cryonics encounters examines the technological aspect. Modern technology has the aptitude to efficiently freeze and store cryonicists for centuries. The necessary means to remove people from their state of cryopreservation has yet to be attained Shaw). Theoretically, this does not affect patients, seeing as they have all the time in the world for technology to advance. Although this scenario implies the eventual exhaustion of the person's money, the risk factor is reintroduced. The ethical objections directed toward cryonics bear solutions. Environmentalists contend cryonic suspension wastes resources on people who contribute nothing to society, because they are dead. Suggestions for greener alternatives are burial or cremation; however, although legally dead, patients intend to live again, debunking the argument (Shaw). Cryonics also necessitates resources aside from chemicals: organs. This dispute holds several counterarguments, the first of which alleges many people refuse to donate their organs in the first place. No one is legally obligated to give away his organs after death. Also, cryonicists can still be donors, depending on the type of cryonic suspension they chose. The question of ethics regarding spending one's savings on cryonics, rather than on insurance to support one's family is addressed (Shaw). When morals are introduced, it seems wrong to selfishly put money to waste that could otherwise benefit family members or society (De Wachter). The patients' perspectives differ because they see the expense as an opportunity, not a waste. The final ethical objection made addresses both theoretical and legal concerns. When pronounced dead, affairs such as insurance pay outs and will readings occur. Cryonicists plan to live again in the future, causing problems with the business of legal death. Death's original definition would need to be revised in order to tackle the legal issues. If a patient experienced irreversible damage to the brain, he could then be pronounced dead, after which inheritance distribution and insurance pay outs could take place (Shaw). Cryonics, although controversial, is relevant today; the expanding practice entails the progression of civilization. 

The service of cryopreservation is available to people worldwide, but most patients abide in the United States. Mass skepticism from scientists and regular citizens alike causes difficulty for the field to make advances. Investors look at the science and laugh, seeing little or no opportunity to profit from a practice that has yet to be proven prosperous. The modern theory of cryonics is a fairly new concept to mankind, having evolved in the last half-century. It makes sense why people doubt the notion's effectiveness. After all, some cultures associate immortality with higher, non-human beings. Cryonics is just another medical practice backed by research. Decades have passed while men and women dedicated their lives to making diminutive strides in the mocked field. Why it matters is simple: one successful trial would change mankind forever. In the last century, technology progressed at an alarming pace. Today, humans are on the brink of immortality. If proven successful, cryonics would become greatest achievement the world has ever been fortunate enough to encounter. 

The history of mankind reveals interesting patterns: man constantly makes improvements to ameliorate himself and his community. Every great renovation began as a thought, which turned into an idea, and eventually a means to drive civilization forward. Cryonics is the world's current idea. Physically possible, financially affordable, and to some extent, technologically feasible, cryonics offers an opportunity unlike any other known medical practice. Although it is still being researched, enough is known to complete the first half of the process. Man nearly has immortality within his grasp, and as time elapses, the prospect becomes easier to reach. 

