Will humans become immortal now? Cryonics brings hope for millions

New Delhi: Many people view death as the end of life, but some consider it merely a temporary interruption. They are having their bodies—or just their brains—frozen at extremely low temperatures, in the hope that in the coming decades or centuries, science will have advanced sufficiently to allow them to be revived. This unique technique is known as cryonics, a process in which the body is frozen in a glass-like state within liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196 degrees Celsius.

The Quest for Life After Death

Cryonics appeals to those who do not accept death as the ultimate finality. They view it as a form of life insurance—a safeguard against the uncertainties of the future. Critics dismiss it as an expensive and impractical fantasy, yet proponents argue that even if there is a mere one percent chance of success, the endeavor is well worth the effort.

The popularity of cryonics is on the rise globally. Reports—such as those published by *MIT Technology Review*—indicate that an increasing number of people are placing their bets on this "pause button." Will science ever transform this dream into reality? For now, the question remains unanswered; however, the glimmer of hope has not yet faded.

Which organizations dominate this field?

Two organizations primarily dominate this field: the Alcor Life Extension Foundation, located in Arizona, USA, and the Cryonics Institute, based in Michigan, USA. People from all corners of the globe are entrusting these two laboratories with the preservation of their bodies. As of 2026, more than 500 individuals worldwide have been preserved through cryonics, while thousands more have already registered for the procedure in the future.

Organizations like Alcor offer the option of "neuro-preservation"—preserving only the brain—in addition to full-body preservation. Many individuals opt to preserve only their brains, as memories, personality, and consciousness are believed to reside within them. In the future, advancements in nanotechnology or medical science could potentially allow these preserved brains to be integrated into a new body or connected to a digital network.

What is the cost? Can we rely on insurance?

Preserving an entire body costs approximately 1.5 to 2 crore rupees (roughly $200,000). For the brain alone, this cost can amount to anywhere between 60 and 70 lakh rupees. To shoulder such a substantial expense, most people turn to life insurance, with monthly premiums starting at just a few thousand rupees.

The greatest challenge lies in the damage inflicted upon cells and tissues during the freezing process—particularly within complex organs such as the brain. Although modern technology has advanced significantly, the ability to resurrect a deceased individual remains, for now, beyond the reach of science.

Nevertheless, proponents believe that future advancements involving stem cells, nanorobots, and sophisticated resuscitation techniques could eventually make this possible. Experts—such as researcher Ralph Merkle—contend that if the structural integrity of the cells can be preserved, future scientific breakthroughs will be capable of repairing them.

A 60-Year-Old Technology: Hope Still Alive Today

Cryonics is not a novel concept. In 1967, James Bedford became the first individual to undergo preservation using this method. To this day, his body remains safely preserved at the Alcor Foundation in the United States. While the technology available at that time was limited, the process has since undergone significant improvements.

Initiated immediately following death, this procedure involves rapidly cooling the body and replacing the blood with specialized chemicals (known as cryoprotectants) to prevent ice crystals from forming within the cells; the body is then stored in a vitrified (glass-like) state at a temperature of -196°C.