Cryonics

Cryonics is the practice of preserving human bodies in liquid nitrogen with the hope that future technology may be able to restore the person back to life. Cryonics is controversial and it is not known whether or not preserved bodies can eventually be revived.

History
Attempts to preserve human bodies in liquid nitrogen began in the 1960s. Many of the early cryonics organizations failed. One organization preserved nine bodies in an underground vault at a cemetery, all of which were thawed in 1971 due to a vacuum pump failure. . Another early cryonics organization depended on friends and family of cryopatients to make regular payments. Most people quickly stopped making payments, and 17 of its 18 patients were thawed in 1979. The one survivor is James Bedford, who has been stored at Alcor since 1991.

Alcor Life Extension Foundation was founded in 1972 and Cryonics Institute was founded in 1976. Both organizations have investments to ensure long-term survival. . KrioRus was founded in 2003 and Tomorrow Biostasis was founded in 2019.

Procedures
Bodies are usually vitrified before being preserved. Chemicals are added to prevent ice crystals from forming.