What is Cryonics?
In preparation for our first club meeting, titled “Future Science History: What is Cryonics?” (event page located here), I thought it would be beneficial to point you all towards an easy-to-read primer on the subject called “Cryonics: Using low temperatures to care for the critically ill” written by Aschwin de Wolf over at depressed metabolism. In it, he discusses some of the theory behind human cryopreservation, and provides a brief overview of the current methods employed in suspension, commenting that
[t]he objection that cryonics is an attempt to resuscitate dead people reflects a misunderstanding of the rationale behind cryonics. The arguments supporting human cryopreservation are not radically different than the already established arguments behind general anesthesia and hypothermic circulatory arrest; it merely introduces lower temperatures and longer care. Therefore, the difference between contemporary medicine and cryonics is quantitative, not qualitative, in nature.
Ultimately, the objectives are the same – to save lives and alleviate suffering.
I hope to see you all at the meeting 🙂
The UBC Cryonics & Life Extension Club 