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The Cryonics Institute (CI) is an American nonprofit foundation that provides cryonics services. CI freezes deceased humans and pets in liquid nitrogen with the hope of restoring them with technology in the future.

History

The Cryonics Institute was founded by the “Father of Cryonics” Robert Ettinger on April 4, 1976, in Detroit, Michigan, where he served as president until 2003. Ettinger introduced the concept of cryonics with the publication of his book “The Prospect of Immortality” published in 1962. Operations moved to Clinton Township, Michigan in 1993, where it is currently located. The Cryonics Institute currently has 2180 members worldwide, of which 240 have already been cryopreserved.

Operations and procedures

The cryonics procedure performed by the Cryonics Institute begins with a process called vitrification where the body is perfused with cryoprotective agents to protect against damage in the freezing process. After this, the body is cooled to -196°C over a day or two days in a computer-controlled chamber before being placed in a long-term storage container filled with liquid nitrogen. The Cryonics Institute utilizes storage units called cryostats, and each unit contains up to eight people. The process can take place only once the person has been declared legally dead. Ideally, the process begins within two minutes of the heart-stopping and no more than 15.

The Cryonics Institute also specializes in Human Cryostasis, DNA/Tissue Freezing, Pet Cryopreservation, and Memorabilia Storage.

The cryonics institute finances itself through membership dues and donations. The cost for cryopreservation is less than $30,000 but the total costs including logistics might add up to more than $100,000. There are multiple ways to cover the cost of cryopreservation, like special life insurance policies.

See also

• Information-theoretic death

References

1. Mills, Emma (2016-11-22). "Inside the Cryonics lab where people hope to come back to life". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-12-25.
2. Monette, Michael (2012-04-17). "Spending eternity in liquid nitrogen". CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal. 184 (7): 747–748. doi:10.1503/cmaj.109-4144. ISSN 0820-3946. PMC 3328517. PMID 22431902.
3. Devlin, Hannah (2016-11-18). "The cryonics dilemma: will deep-frozen bodies be fit for new life?". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-12-25.
4. Coman, Brian J. (2007). A Loose Canon: Essays on History, Modernity and Tradition. Connor Court Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 9780980293623.
5. "Robert Ettinger, founder of the cryonics movement, dies at 92". Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-12-25.
6. "Facility in Macomb County keeps bodies frozen in hopes of bringing them back to life". MLive.com. Associated Press. 16 January 2010. Retrieved 2018-12-25.
7. https://cryonics.org/member-statistics/ 'Member Statistics - The Cryonics Institute is proud to serve members from around the world.'
8. https://interestingengineering.com/science/28000-to-deep-freeze-your-body-after-death-cryonics-expert-explains '$28,000 to deep freeze your body after death, cryonics expert explains'
9. Maria, Cara Santa (2013-03-18). "Cryonic Preservation After Death: What Does The Science Say? (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2018-12-25.
10. "Here's how far cryonic preservation has come in the 50 years since 'Bedford Day'". NBC News. 17 January 2017. Retrieved 2018-12-25.
11. "Frozen British teen boosts profile of Michigan cryonics lab". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2018-12-25.
12. "With Michigan Cemetery License in Hand, Cryonics Lab Freezes Dead Again". 2004-01-08. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
13. "Video: Deep Freeze in Medicine at the Cryonics Institute". ABC News. Retrieved 2018-12-25.
14. https://cryonics.org/funding-for-cryostasis/ 'Cryopreservation is far more affordable than you might think.'
15. Hoffman, Rudi (2018). The Affordable Immortal: Maybe You Can Beat Death and Taxes. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. p. 200. ISBN 978-1986985369.

• 1976 establishments in Michigan
• Cryonics organizations in the United States