In this engaging discussion, Hayley Campbell, a journalist and author who explores the intriguing world of cryonics, dives into the chilling science behind preserving bodies for potential future revival. Listeners are captivated by tales of real-life 'frogsicles' and the urban legend surrounding Walt Disney's supposed freeze. They explore the challenges of reanimating full-sized humans and the ethical dilemmas entangled with life extension. Campbell's insights blend humor and hope as they ponder the possibilities of advanced technology in the future.
Cryobiology offers techniques successfully applied to embryos, highlighting the potential for future advancements in preserving larger organisms.
The ethical dilemmas of cryonics raise concerns about resource use and societal implications of reviving individuals frozen after terminal illnesses.
Deep dives
The Science of Freezing Living Organisms
The potential of freezing living organisms to preserve them for future revival is explored, with a focus on the concept of cryonics. While the idea suggests that individuals can be frozen at death and later reanimated, no confirmed cases of successful revival have occurred yet. Scientists acknowledge the complexities involved, emphasizing the need for advanced technology that does not currently exist. There are companies that offer cryogenic preservation, with a small number of people already frozen, but the procedure remains speculative and controversial.
Cryopreservation Techniques for Embryos
Successful cryopreservation techniques have been applied to embryos, raising questions about the feasibility of extending these methods to larger organisms. Embryos are usually frozen after being treated with cryoprotectants, which prevent ice crystal formation that can damage cells. This process has led to many successful live births from frozen embryos, demonstrating that some biological materials can endure freezing. The ongoing research indicates the possibility of applying similar techniques in the future, although it remains a challenge for larger organs.
The Future of Cryonics and Ethical Considerations
As the technology behind cryonics advances, ethical concerns arise regarding the implications of long-term storage of individuals. The prospect of reviving people preserved due to terminal illnesses raises questions about resource allocation and societal impact. The discussion also touches on the desire for youth and vitality, contrasting the motivations of individuals seeking cryogenic preservation. While many people see the potential for future breakthroughs in biological sciences, there remains skepticism about the true viability of human revival from such preservation methods.
When you die, would you want to be frozen so that one day you might be brought back to life? Listener Elspeth wants to know if that’s even possible. So Hannah and Dara embark on a quest to explore the chiling science of ‘cryobiology’: preserving living things at really low temperatures.
It turns out there are already thousands of people alive who were once suspended in antifreeze and stored in liquid nitrogen - when they were just a small clump of cells! There’s even a frog which can turn into a ‘frogsicle’ for months on end. But re-animating full size humans is a challenge no one has solved…yet. Will some miraculous nanotechnology of a distant future solve the problem?
Contributors:
Professor João Pedro de Magalhães: University of Birmingham
Hayley Campbell: Author and broadcaster
Professor Joyce Harper: UCL
Dr Hanane Hadj-Moussa: The Babraham Institute, Cambridge
Garrett Smyth: Cryonics UK
Producer: Ilan Goodman
Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
A BBC Studios Audio Production
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