February 10th 2024.
According to reports, inside Alcor's state-of-the-art facility, there are numerous liquid nitrogen vats containing the bodies of some of the most influential and revolutionary figures in the world of science. These individuals, who were once pioneers in their fields, now lie motionless in a frozen state, as part of a bold and daring plan for the future.
This plan, known as the 'lifeboat to the future', involves cryogenically preserving both humans and their beloved pets in the hopes that future advancements in technology will one day allow them to be revived. With over 200 patients, including some from the UK, currently in storage, the non-profit research company is determined to give its members a chance at a second life.
Among these patients are household names, renowned for their groundbreaking contributions to science and technology. According to James M. Arrowood, a representative of the Alcor Life Extension Foundation, these individuals chose to participate in this experiment, even after their legal deaths, as a way to continue their pioneering work.
As we delved deeper into the world of cryo-suspension with Mr. Arrowood, he revealed that the process is often carried out anonymously, with only a select few members of the recovery team and Alcor's executives knowing the identities of the patients. However, the organization ensures that this opportunity is not limited to the wealthy, as the majority of its members come from middle-class backgrounds and have signed up through life insurance policies.
Established in 1972 by Fred Chamberlain III and his wife Linda, Alcor has since grown to have 225 patients in suspension and over 1,400 living members. The first patient to be cryogenically preserved was Fred's own father, Col. Fred Chamberlain Jr, back in 1976. Fred himself joined his father in suspension in 2012, while his wife Linda continues to work for Alcor.
The concept of cryonics is based on the belief that advancements in medical science, such as nanotechnology and the ability to reverse the aging process, will one day enable these patients to be revived. The process begins as soon as a patient is declared legally dead, with their body being cooled and transported to Alcor's facility in Arizona. Here, a special chemical is pumped into the bloodstream to prevent freeze damage, before the patient is placed in long-term storage designed to preserve their body for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Mr. Arrowood, who is also the co-chief executive and president of Alcor, explained the crucial role played by the Deployment and Recovery Team (DART), who can be dispatched to any part of the world within hours in case of an emergency. He also mentioned that time is of the essence in these situations, as the team must reach the patient before their tissues completely deteriorate. The team performs a form of CPR and administers a special chemical, referred to as 'liquid gold', to keep the cells alive and prevent freezing damage.
Once the patient is brought back to Alcor's facility, they are gradually cooled to a glass-like state over a period of three to five days before being placed in a vat of liquid nitrogen at -196°C. The team also conducts a CT scan to examine the condition of the patient's brain, which not only contributes to the research aspect of their work but also ensures the preservation of the patient's identity.
Mr. Arrowood proudly shared that the first patient to be cryogenically preserved at Alcor was Col. Fred R. Chamberlain Jr, and since then, the organization has preserved the brains of individuals from three different centuries, including one from the 1800s. He emphasized that these brains are invaluable to scientific research and are a testament to the dedication and determination of Alcor and its members to push the boundaries of what is possible.
According to reports, Alcor's liquid nitrogen vats contain the remains of some of the world's most influential scientists. It's a surreal scene - these bodies, frozen in time, are a result of a high-stakes bet on the future. This "lifeboat to the future" in Arizona is a place where both humans and their beloved pets are cryogenically preserved, in the hopes of one day being brought back to life with advanced technology.
Among the "patients" in these sub-freezing, rocket-shaped cylinders are renowned figures who were eager to participate in cutting-edge science even after their legal passing. James M. Arrowood, from the Alcor Life Extension Foundation, gave us a glimpse into the world of cryonic suspension and the individuals who have signed up for it. Currently, over 200 individuals, including some from Britain, have entrusted their bodies or heads to this non-profit research organization, all in the pursuit of an incredible future revival.
"We have some of the most prominent names in the world stored with Alcor," Mr. Arrowood shared. "These are household names in the fields of science and technology, who have chosen to be a part of this mission and experiment." It's a diverse group, including individuals who have made a significant impact on our world. "Our recovery teams work closely with their security teams, often keeping their identities anonymous," he added.
The "dewars" at Alcor represent a chance at a second life in the future, but it's not only reserved for the wealthy. In fact, the majority of members are from middle-class backgrounds and have signed up through life insurance. As Mr. Arrowood pointed out, many people are aware that the possibility of success is slim, but see it as a "lottery ticket" that could potentially contribute to invaluable scientific research.
Alcor's roots go back to 1972 when Fred Chamberlain III and his wife Linda established the organization. Today, they have 225 patients in cryonic suspension, with an additional 1,424 living members signed up for a future existence at -192C. Interestingly, Fred's father, Col. Fred Chamberlain Jr., was Alcor's first patient after his clinical death in 1976. Later on, in 2012, Fred Chamberlain III also went into suspension, while Linda remains an integral part of the Alcor team.
Advocates of cryonics look to groundbreaking advancements in medical science, including nanotechnology, the reversal of aging, and the cure of terminal illnesses, as the key to reviving these patients. Ideally, the process starts immediately after a patient is declared dead. The body is then cooled and transported to Arizona for "vitrification," a process where cryoprotectants are injected into the bloodstream to prevent freezing damage. The patient is then placed in long-term storage, designed to preserve the body for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Mr. Arrowood, Alcor's co-chief executive and president, provided insight into the process involving the DART team. This elite team can be dispatched anywhere in the world within a few hours if someone is sick, dying, or has just passed away. "Time is of the essence as we try to reach the patient while there is still living tissue," he explained. "We perform a type of CPR to keep the blood flowing and inject a special chemical, a type of liquid gold, to protect the cells from freezing damage while they are still alive."
Once the patient's head or full body is transported back to Alcor, the gradual cooling process begins, taking three to five days. After that, they are placed in a vat of liquid nitrogen at -196C. Additionally, a CT scan is performed to examine the condition of the patient's brain, providing valuable data for research. "Our first patient was Col. Fred Chamberlain Jr., in 1976," Mr. Arrowood shared. "But we have brains spanning three centuries, including one from the 1800s, which is incredibly valuable for scientific purposes."
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