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Cryonics: fantasy or a bridge to the future | João Pedro de Magalhães | TEDxImperialCollege


it is wonderful to be alive life is an

it is wonderful to be alive life is an amazing experience full of discoveries

amazing experience full of discoveries

amazing experience full of discoveries and excitement but we never want for

and excitement but we never want for

and excitement but we never want for this to end

this to end

this to end unfortunately sometimes things don’t go

unfortunately sometimes things don’t go

unfortunately sometimes things don’t go according to plan

according to plan

according to plan let me tell you the story of the

let me tell you the story of the

let me tell you the story of the remarkable Kim swoozie she was working

remarkable Kim swoozie she was working

remarkable Kim swoozie she was working at cognitive sciences when she was

at cognitive sciences when she was

at cognitive sciences when she was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive

diagnosed with a particularly aggressive

diagnosed with a particularly aggressive type of brain tumor she underwent

type of brain tumor she underwent

type of brain tumor she underwent treatment trying to extend her life but

treatment trying to extend her life but

treatment trying to extend her life but in the end she sadly passed away at the

in the end she sadly passed away at the

in the end she sadly passed away at the age of 23 what is particularly

age of 23 what is particularly

age of 23 what is particularly remarkable about Kim however is what she

remarkable about Kim however is what she

remarkable about Kim however is what she s months of her life because she decided

s months of her life because she decided

s months of her life because she decided that when she died she did to be cried

that when she died she did to be cried

that when she died she did to be cried preserved she was to be kept at low

preserved she was to be kept at low

preserved she was to be kept at low temperature in one of this containers

temperature in one of this containers

temperature in one of this containers that you see in the background until one

that you see in the background until one

that you see in the background until one day 50 100 thousand years from now

day 50 100 thousand years from now

day 50 100 thousand years from now medical technology will be advanced

medical technology will be advanced

medical technology will be advanced enough for her to be brought back to

enough for her to be brought back to

enough for her to be brought back to life what is equally remarkable is that

life what is equally remarkable is that

life what is equally remarkable is that she could not afford this and so she

she could not afford this and so she

she could not afford this and so she embarked on an online crowdfunding

embarked on an online crowdfunding

embarked on an online crowdfunding campaign which thankfully managed to

campaign which thankfully managed to

campaign which thankfully managed to gather enough donations for her to be

gather enough donations for her to be

gather enough donations for her to be crowd reserved

crowd reserved

crowd reserved now of course she’s not an only case

now of course she’s not an only case

now of course she’s not an only case there are now over 300 people

there are now over 300 people

there are now over 300 people cryopreserved and hundreds more signed

cryopreserved and hundreds more signed

cryopreserved and hundreds more signed up this include Robert Angier he was the

up this include Robert Angier he was the

up this include Robert Angier he was the first one to propose this concept of

first one to propose this concept of

first one to propose this concept of cryonics that the seizing of dividuals

cryonics that the seizing of dividuals

cryonics that the seizing of dividuals be preserved the low temperatures in

be preserved the low temperatures in

be preserved the low temperatures in hope one day medical technology can make

hope one day medical technology can make

hope one day medical technology can make them healthy again there’s also a number

them healthy again there’s also a number

them healthy again there’s also a number of young people arrive reserved there

of young people arrive reserved there

of young people arrive reserved there was a very high-profile case for example

was a very high-profile case for example

was a very high-profile case for example of the 14 year old British teenage girl

of the 14 year old British teenage girl

of the 14 year old British teenage girl also suffering from terminal cancer who

also suffering from terminal cancer who

also suffering from terminal cancer who appealed to a high court for the right

appealed to a high court for the right

appealed to a high court for the right to be cryo served so why do people do

to be cryo served so why do people do

to be cryo served so why do people do this why be crime preserved well

this why be crime preserved well

this why be crime preserved well cryonics patients they love life and by

cryonics patients they love life and by

cryonics patients they love life and by being quite preserved it gives them a

being quite preserved it gives them a

being quite preserved it gives them a chance a whole

chance a whole

chance a whole of one day being brought back to life

of one day being brought back to life

of one day being brought back to life living another life by contrast if you

living another life by contrast if you

living another life by contrast if you are cremated or buried then you’ll be

are cremated or buried then you’ll be

are cremated or buried then you’ll be dead forever it equals eternal oblivion

dead forever it equals eternal oblivion

dead forever it equals eternal oblivion so what exactly does cryonics entail

so what exactly does cryonics entail

so what exactly does cryonics entail well first of all and contrary to

well first of all and contrary to

well first of all and contrary to popular perception chronics is not about

popular perception chronics is not about

popular perception chronics is not about freezing people in traditional freezing

freezing people in traditional freezing

freezing people in traditional freezing ice forms which expands and you have

ice forms which expands and you have

ice forms which expands and you have this sharp ice crystals that burst cells

this sharp ice crystals that burst cells

this sharp ice crystals that burst cells and cause all kinds of molecular damage

and cause all kinds of molecular damage

and cause all kinds of molecular damage and so in chronics a procedure called

and so in chronics a procedure called

and so in chronics a procedure called vitrification is used now vitrification

vitrification is used now vitrification

vitrification is used now vitrification literally means turn to class

literally means turn to class

literally means turn to class essentially water that is blood and

essentially water that is blood and

essentially water that is blood and water inside the cells of patients is

water inside the cells of patients is

water inside the cells of patients is replaced by cryoprotectant that is a

replaced by cryoprotectant that is a

replaced by cryoprotectant that is a medical grade antifreeze and as

medical grade antifreeze and as

medical grade antifreeze and as temperature drops and the concentration

temperature drops and the concentration

temperature drops and the concentration of the antifreeze increases it becomes

of the antifreeze increases it becomes

of the antifreeze increases it becomes very viscous until it turns to glass

very viscous until it turns to glass

very viscous until it turns to glass turns into this amorphous form sometimes

turns into this amorphous form sometimes

turns into this amorphous form sometimes referred to as a solid liquid then

referred to as a solid liquid then

referred to as a solid liquid then temperature continues to drop until

temperature continues to drop until

temperature continues to drop until minus 196 degrees Celsius and that is

minus 196 degrees Celsius and that is

minus 196 degrees Celsius and that is the temperature of liquid nitrogen in

the temperature of liquid nitrogen in

the temperature of liquid nitrogen in which patients are preserved now as such

which patients are preserved now as such

which patients are preserved now as such more temperatures biological processes

more temperatures biological processes

more temperatures biological processes came to a complete standstill and so

came to a complete standstill and so

came to a complete standstill and so patients could be kept there

patients could be kept there

patients could be kept there indefinitely now in some cases as it was

indefinitely now in some cases as it was

indefinitely now in some cases as it was Kim Suzie’s case only the head is quite

Kim Suzie’s case only the head is quite

Kim Suzie’s case only the head is quite reserved rationale being that in a far

reserved rationale being that in a far

reserved rationale being that in a far future where medical technology can

future where medical technology can

future where medical technology can bring such patients back to life then

bring such patients back to life then

bring such patients back to life then creating a new body will not be

creating a new body will not be

creating a new body will not be problematic

problematic

problematic now if the concept of vitrification is

now if the concept of vitrification is

now if the concept of vitrification is new to you I should emphasize that this

new to you I should emphasize that this

new to you I should emphasize that this is already widely used across many areas

is already widely used across many areas

is already widely used across many areas so we can safely and reversibly Verta

so we can safely and reversibly Verta

so we can safely and reversibly Verta Phi human cells small tissues and even

Phi human cells small tissues and even

Phi human cells small tissues and even human embryos in fact vitrification is

human embryos in fact vitrification is

human embryos in fact vitrification is widely used in fertility clinics there’s

widely used in fertility clinics there’s

widely used in fertility clinics there’s actually a good possibility that some

actually a good possibility that some

actually a good possibility that some people here today were once quite

people here today were once quite

people here today were once quite preserved although admittedly at a very

preserved although admittedly at a very

preserved although admittedly at a very early stage of development where they

early stage of development where they

early stage of development where they were just at

were just at

were just at the embryo it is also possible to

the embryo it is also possible to

the embryo it is also possible to vitrify small animals like for example

vitrify small animals like for example

vitrify small animals like for example worms and in mammals it is possible to

worms and in mammals it is possible to

worms and in mammals it is possible to vitrify small animal organs like for

vitrify small animal organs like for

vitrify small animal organs like for example rabbit kidneys and brain slices

example rabbit kidneys and brain slices

example rabbit kidneys and brain slices so this can be safely vitrified then

so this can be safely vitrified then

so this can be safely vitrified then rewarmed and retained their function now

rewarmed and retained their function now

rewarmed and retained their function now that is the current state of the art and

that is the current state of the art and

that is the current state of the art and although that is impressive it is still

although that is impressive it is still

although that is impressive it is still quite far from the truth flying all

quite far from the truth flying all

quite far from the truth flying all human organs it’s primarily an issue of

human organs it’s primarily an issue of

human organs it’s primarily an issue of size with human organs roger organs they

size with human organs roger organs they

size with human organs roger organs they take the longer to cool down and so more

take the longer to cool down and so more

take the longer to cool down and so more damage can accumulate in particularly

damage can accumulate in particularly

damage can accumulate in particularly damage from the antifreeze so antifreeze

damage from the antifreeze so antifreeze

damage from the antifreeze so antifreeze is generally harmless that’s why it is

is generally harmless that’s why it is

is generally harmless that’s why it is used to preserve human embryos but at

used to preserve human embryos but at

used to preserve human embryos but at very high concentrations and relatively

very high concentrations and relatively

very high concentrations and relatively high temperatures and prolonged

high temperatures and prolonged

high temperatures and prolonged exposures it can become toxic as a well

exposures it can become toxic as a well

exposures it can become toxic as a well fitted fine larger human organs

fitted fine larger human organs

fitted fine larger human organs substantial damage occurs and that is

substantial damage occurs and that is

substantial damage occurs and that is why it’s still not possible to vitrify

why it’s still not possible to vitrify

why it’s still not possible to vitrify human heart or kidney or livers so when

human heart or kidney or livers so when

human heart or kidney or livers so when you extrapolate that to chronics it is

you extrapolate that to chronics it is

you extrapolate that to chronics it is clear that extensive damage occurs in

clear that extensive damage occurs in

clear that extensive damage occurs in cryonics including in the brain that is

cryonics including in the brain that is

cryonics including in the brain that is why most scientists myself included are

why most scientists myself included are

why most scientists myself included are sceptic about the chances of cryonics

sceptic about the chances of cryonics

sceptic about the chances of cryonics patients ever being brought back to life

patients ever being brought back to life

patients ever being brought back to life but they fully ignored that

but they fully ignored that

but they fully ignored that so Kim she felt the chances of ever

so Kim she felt the chances of ever

so Kim she felt the chances of ever being alive or maybe one or two percent

being alive or maybe one or two percent

being alive or maybe one or two percent now someone said that’s optimistic

now someone said that’s optimistic

now someone said that’s optimistic others who say it’s pessimistic the

others who say it’s pessimistic the

others who say it’s pessimistic the point is that cryonics patients fully

point is that cryonics patients fully

point is that cryonics patients fully acknowledge that this is a gamble but in

acknowledge that this is a gamble but in

acknowledge that this is a gamble but in their view it is a worthwhile gamble now

their view it is a worthwhile gamble now

their view it is a worthwhile gamble now the argument is that if your crime

the argument is that if your crime

the argument is that if your crime preserved and it works then it’s amazing

preserved and it works then it’s amazing

preserved and it works then it’s amazing you get to live another life in the

you get to live another life in the

you get to live another life in the future if he fails though it will remain

future if he fails though it will remain

future if he fails though it will remain that forever but if you know preserved

that forever but if you know preserved

that forever but if you know preserved if you’re buried or cremated

if you’re buried or cremated

if you’re buried or cremated you will also be dead forever and so

you will also be dead forever and so

you will also be dead forever and so they argue it is a reasonable gamble now

they argue it is a reasonable gamble now

they argue it is a reasonable gamble now there is a financial cost to cryonics so

there is a financial cost to cryonics so

there is a financial cost to cryonics so he was a she paid eighty thousand

he was a she paid eighty thousand

he was a she paid eighty thousand dollars to be

dollars to be

dollars to be preserved some companies charge more

preserved some companies charge more

preserved some companies charge more others charge less but it will still be

others charge less but it will still be

others charge less but it will still be a significant financial investment of

a significant financial investment of

a significant financial investment of course that is not for everyone and I

course that is not for everyone and I

course that is not for everyone and I should say at this stage that I am

should say at this stage that I am

should say at this stage that I am personally not signed up for cryonics I

personally not signed up for cryonics I

personally not signed up for cryonics I have two little girls and if I were to

have two little girls and if I were to

have two little girls and if I were to die tomorrow I rather leave the money to

die tomorrow I rather leave the money to

die tomorrow I rather leave the money to them but I would add that if I were a

them but I would add that if I were a

them but I would add that if I were a millionaire I would sign up for cryonics

millionaire I would sign up for cryonics

millionaire I would sign up for cryonics because then financial costs will be

because then financial costs will be

because then financial costs will be negligible so what would I have to lose

negligible so what would I have to lose

negligible so what would I have to lose now cryonics patients also point out

now cryonics patients also point out

now cryonics patients also point out that we cannot really evaluate cryonics

that we cannot really evaluate cryonics

that we cannot really evaluate cryonics now because it depends on future

now because it depends on future

now because it depends on future technologies for example nanotechnology

technologies for example nanotechnology

technologies for example nanotechnology the idea that one day in the future

the idea that one day in the future

the idea that one day in the future we’ll be able to construct tiny

we’ll be able to construct tiny

we’ll be able to construct tiny molecular machines that go inside the

molecular machines that go inside the

molecular machines that go inside the brain and repair the damage from the

brain and repair the damage from the

brain and repair the damage from the cryopreservation now of course we don’t

cryopreservation now of course we don’t

cryopreservation now of course we don’t know if that’s going to be possible or

know if that’s going to be possible or

know if that’s going to be possible or not because that depends on future

not because that depends on future

not because that depends on future technologies but it does raise an

technologies but it does raise an

technologies but it does raise an interesting question which is how much

interesting question which is how much

interesting question which is how much damage must there occur for the

damage must there occur for the

damage must there occur for the information of the minds the memories

information of the minds the memories

information of the minds the memories and personality to be lost beyond

and personality to be lost beyond

and personality to be lost beyond recovery and does that damage occur in

recovery and does that damage occur in

recovery and does that damage occur in cryonics unfortunately we don’t know

some granites patients argue however

some granites patients argue however that it may be possible in the future to

that it may be possible in the future to

that it may be possible in the future to scan the brain at such level of detail

scan the brain at such level of detail

scan the brain at such level of detail and precision that it can be replicated

and precision that it can be replicated

and precision that it can be replicated on a computer you could have your mind

on a computer you could have your mind

on a computer you could have your mind running your computer also known as mind

running your computer also known as mind

running your computer also known as mind uploading now I have to say I’m not

uploading now I have to say I’m not

uploading now I have to say I’m not convinced by that not the technology

convinced by that not the technology

convinced by that not the technology behind it very optimistic about

behind it very optimistic about

behind it very optimistic about technology and I’m not convinced because

technology and I’m not convinced because

technology and I’m not convinced because even if they were possible today if you

even if they were possible today if you

even if they were possible today if you could run my mind on a computer that

could run my mind on a computer that

could run my mind on a computer that wouldn’t be mean it would be copy of me

wouldn’t be mean it would be copy of me

wouldn’t be mean it would be copy of me just like a twin brother is a copy of

just like a twin brother is a copy of

just like a twin brother is a copy of your DNA but it’s not you and so I’m

your DNA but it’s not you and so I’m

your DNA but it’s not you and so I’m much more interested in biological

much more interested in biological

much more interested in biological revival in that context there’s been

revival in that context there’s been

revival in that context there’s been exciting research done in cryo biology

exciting research done in cryo biology

exciting research done in cryo biology in general in the study of life at low

in general in the study of life at low

in general in the study of life at low temperatures for example there are

temperatures for example there are

temperatures for example there are animals like the wood frog

animals like the wood frog

animals like the wood frog that can survive considerable freezing

that can survive considerable freezing

that can survive considerable freezing during winter and they’re fine in spring

during winter and they’re fine in spring

during winter and they’re fine in spring and they can go through this freeze and

and they can go through this freeze and

and they can go through this freeze and thaw cycles many years so some of these

thaw cycles many years so some of these

thaw cycles many years so some of these species they have their own antifreeze

species they have their own antifreeze

species they have their own antifreeze like antifreeze proteins and so

like antifreeze proteins and so

like antifreeze proteins and so scientists are studying them hopefully

scientists are studying them hopefully

scientists are studying them hopefully that we can learn some new trick that we

that we can learn some new trick that we

that we can learn some new trick that we can then apply to human crop reservation

can then apply to human crop reservation

can then apply to human crop reservation there’s also various studies including

there’s also various studies including

there’s also various studies including by my own lab of antifreeze toxicity if

by my own lab of antifreeze toxicity if

by my own lab of antifreeze toxicity if we can better understand why antifreeze

we can better understand why antifreeze

we can better understand why antifreeze is toxic then we may be able to

is toxic then we may be able to

is toxic then we may be able to neutralize it and therefore improve

neutralize it and therefore improve

neutralize it and therefore improve quite preservation protocols now one

quite preservation protocols now one

quite preservation protocols now one thing that is important to emphasize is

thing that is important to emphasize is

thing that is important to emphasize is that preservation has very broad an

that preservation has very broad an

that preservation has very broad an important impact in particularly medical

important impact in particularly medical

important impact in particularly medical sciences so quiet preservation of stem

sciences so quiet preservation of stem

sciences so quiet preservation of stem cells and engineered tissues is a very

cells and engineered tissues is a very

cells and engineered tissues is a very timely area in particularly in

timely area in particularly in

timely area in particularly in regenerative medicine and if we could

regenerative medicine and if we could

regenerative medicine and if we could safely reverse require preserve human

safely reverse require preserve human

safely reverse require preserve human organs this would be a huge breakthrough

organs this would be a huge breakthrough

organs this would be a huge breakthrough because we would be able to build banks

because we would be able to build banks

because we would be able to build banks of organs for transplantation which

of organs for transplantation which

of organs for transplantation which would be family and would save countless

would be family and would save countless

would be family and would save countless lives ultimately we want to perfect the

lives ultimately we want to perfect the

lives ultimately we want to perfect the current preservation methods to the

current preservation methods to the

current preservation methods to the point of crime preserving whole human

point of crime preserving whole human

point of crime preserving whole human beings or human medical bio stasis or

beings or human medical bio stasis or

beings or human medical bio stasis or suspended animation that would be eaten

suspended animation that would be eaten

suspended animation that would be eaten completely danger you would have

completely danger you would have

completely danger you would have applications in areas like space

applications in areas like space

applications in areas like space exploration and of course in medicine

exploration and of course in medicine

exploration and of course in medicine for terminal patients like Kim swoozie

for terminal patients like Kim swoozie

for terminal patients like Kim swoozie now going back to kim we can understand

now going back to kim we can understand

now going back to kim we can understand motivations for someone wanting to be

motivations for someone wanting to be

motivations for someone wanting to be cry preserved when her life was cut so

cry preserved when her life was cut so

cry preserved when her life was cut so short but what is a normal life if you

short but what is a normal life if you

short but what is a normal life if you look a life expectancy in the last

look a life expectancy in the last

look a life expectancy in the last century and a half or so a hundred and

century and a half or so a hundred and

century and a half or so a hundred and fifty years ago life expectancy was 45

fifty years ago life expectancy was 45

fifty years ago life expectancy was 45 years now thanks to various

years now thanks to various

years now thanks to various technological breakthroughs that had

technological breakthroughs that had

technological breakthroughs that had increased and continues to increase and

increased and continues to increase and

increased and continues to increase and in fact this is the best time in history

in fact this is the best time in history

in fact this is the best time in history to be alive now just from a life

to be alive now just from a life

to be alive now just from a life expectancy and health perspective but

expectancy and health perspective but

expectancy and health perspective but from a perspective of peace prosperity

from a perspective of peace prosperity

from a perspective of peace prosperity and of course all of the amazing

and of course all of the amazing

and of course all of the amazing technologies we have at our disposal if

technologies we have at our disposal if

technologies we have at our disposal if you went back 150 years and you said

you went back 150 years and you said

you went back 150 years and you said look in the future you’re going to be

look in the future you’re going to be

look in the future you’re going to be able to access all human knowledge all

able to access all human knowledge all

able to access all human knowledge all ebooks from a little box you can carry

ebooks from a little box you can carry

ebooks from a little box you can carry in your pocket nobody would believe you

in your pocket nobody would believe you

in your pocket nobody would believe you and 150 years ago if your heart stopped

and 150 years ago if your heart stopped

and 150 years ago if your heart stopped you’d be dead now of course we can

you’d be dead now of course we can

you’d be dead now of course we can resist it

resist it

resist it it’s from cardiac arrest so there’s been

it’s from cardiac arrest so there’s been

it’s from cardiac arrest so there’s been huge technological breakthroughs in a

huge technological breakthroughs in a

huge technological breakthroughs in a short time span and even the concept of

short time span and even the concept of

short time span and even the concept of death has changed thanks to advances in

death has changed thanks to advances in

death has changed thanks to advances in technology and now if couldn’t trance

technology and now if couldn’t trance

technology and now if couldn’t trance hold then the future is going to far be

hold then the future is going to far be

hold then the future is going to far be far better than the present for example

far better than the present for example

far better than the present for example at level of aging we now know it is

at level of aging we now know it is

at level of aging we now know it is possible to manipulate the process of

possible to manipulate the process of

possible to manipulate the process of aging we can genetically engineer

aging we can genetically engineer

aging we can genetically engineer animals to live 10 times longer than

animals to live 10 times longer than

animals to live 10 times longer than normal and we can rejuvenate mice with

normal and we can rejuvenate mice with

normal and we can rejuvenate mice with genetic engineering techniques now I’m

genetic engineering techniques now I’m

genetic engineering techniques now I’m not saying any of that will happen

not saying any of that will happen

not saying any of that will happen anytime soon in human beings what I’m

anytime soon in human beings what I’m

anytime soon in human beings what I’m saying is when you’re looking 50 a

saying is when you’re looking 50 a

saying is when you’re looking 50 a hundred a thousand years ahead then we

hundred a thousand years ahead then we

hundred a thousand years ahead then we may be living much longer lives with

may be living much longer lives with

may be living much longer lives with amazing technologies and with that in

amazing technologies and with that in

amazing technologies and with that in mind crowning’s

mind crowning’s

mind crowning’s or as we perfect representation methods

or as we perfect representation methods

or as we perfect representation methods towards human medical bio stasis then

towards human medical bio stasis then

towards human medical bio stasis then this could be seen as a bridge to the

this could be seen as a bridge to the

this could be seen as a bridge to the future and if the future is one of

future and if the future is one of

future and if the future is one of living hundreds of years without aging

living hundreds of years without aging

living hundreds of years without aging without diseases with technology is so

without diseases with technology is so

without diseases with technology is so amazing we cannot even foresee them now

amazing we cannot even foresee them now

amazing we cannot even foresee them now then please sign me up because that’s

then please sign me up because that’s

then please sign me up because that’s the kind of future I would like to live

the kind of future I would like to live

the kind of future I would like to live in because it is wonderful to be alive

in because it is wonderful to be alive

in because it is wonderful to be alive thank you very much

thank you very much

thank you very much [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

”

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