• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Inside eerie ‘ambulance to the future’ where people remain frozen in hope of achieving life after death

Home> Science

Published 11:46 13 Sep 2024 GMT+1

Inside eerie ‘ambulance to the future’ where people remain frozen in hope of achieving life after death

People are gambling on a second shot at life

Rebekah Jordan

Rebekah Jordan

You only get one shot at life, so use it wisely.

At least that's the case for most of us. But for a few, there's a chance at a second go - somewhere in the future.

By that, I mean there's a growing number of people at the world’s biggest cryo-preservation facilities taking a big gamble by getting frozen after they die, hoping that one day, technology will advance enough to bring them back.

Some of these 'patients' have been frozen there for nearly 50 years.

Advert

At the Cryonics Institute (CI) in Michigan, white vials line the storage facility, holding bodies, body parts and even pets.

They’re all kept at a frosty -196°C of liquid nitrogen waiting for a future where they might be revived.

These people came from all different walks of life, from chefs to students, and secretaries and professors.

Cryonics Institute
Cryonics Institute

Interestingly, it's mostly the Brits who have taken the courageous jump to body preservation, making them the biggest group outside of the U.S.

As cool as it may sound, it's more of a waiting game than sci-fi fiction.

The longest-running patient is Rhea Ettinger who has been in her icy sleep since 1977.

Her son, Robert C. W. Ettinger - known as the "father of cryonics" and a WWII vet - joined her, along with both of his wives, all preserved at the facility.

CI president Dennis Kowalksi said: "Ironically, while the number of members is growing, I’m only surprised that we’re not more popular.

"What we are doing is pretty rational when you think about it. Cryonics is like an ambulance ride to a future hospital that may or may not exist some day.

He continued: "While we give no guarantees, if you are buried or cremated your chances of coming back are zero.

"We are therefore a Pascal’s wager, or a gamble with little to lose and all to gain."

Cryonics Institute
Cryonics Institute

Inside CI’s massive 7,000-square-foot facility, about 250 patients are stored in cryostats, standing in organised rows.

Newcomers who have paid for full-body preservation would have paid nothing short of $28,000 (£22,000). So far, 10 to 20 new spots have been filled.

"While we are the largest cryonics company in the world with the most patients in suspension, our two centres in Michigan are not as sci-fi as you might imagine," Kowalski added.

"It’s more practical. We are affordable to the average person through life insurance and we are non-profit, with all of our records open to public scrutiny."

The CI president described feeling a 'sense of responsibility and awe' when he walks through the cryostats.

He concluded: "We don’t know if this will work but we believe life is precious and that there is no greater value than the love of our family and friends who we wish to save."

Featured Image Credit: Cryonics Institute
Science
Health

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
10 hours ago
13 hours ago
  • Rick Friedman / Contributor / Getty
    7 hours ago

    Epstein revealed to have reportedly been working on worlds first 'human clones' in shocking new files

    It's said Epstein had a strong interest in transhumanism

    Science
  • Tom Werner via Getty
    8 hours ago

    Exactly what happens inside your body when you burn fat revealed in fascinating video

    It's far more complicated than just 'eat less'

    Science
  • dr.caoducplasticsurgeon / TikTok
    10 hours ago

    People gobsmacked after surgeon reveals insane before-and-after facelift results

    You won't believe your eyes

    Science
  • athima tongloom / Getty
    13 hours ago

    Groundbreaking new research reveals group of people most at risk of colon cancer

    The study has provided insight into a developing trend

    Science
  • Woman who died and came back to life issued horrifying warning to humanity after claims she 'saw the future'
  • Groundbreaking drug can 'bring brain back to life' as Parkinson's reversal hope grows
  • YouTuber goes inside Flat Earth Convention where people believe 'NASA is the creation of the devil'
  • Rare condition where people are 'allergic to electricity' inspired one of the greatest TV shows of all time