A Greek-Australian scientist founded the first cryonics clinic in Australia. Until recently, we thought that it is possible only in science fiction movies, but now it is a reality. The method of cryonics promises immortality and victory over death. At least in theory.
Pantelis Tsolakidis in an interview with the newspaper of the Greek diaspora in Australia “Neos Kosmos” explains what cryonics is and how it will concern us in the near future. Mr. Tsolakidis studied chemistry at RMIT, and a book entitled “Prospect of immortality” that fell into his hands in the late ’60s changed his thinking.
“To me, it seemed logical. Let me be clear now, there is no guarantee that you will come back to life. But there is a reasonable probability. Then I thought that the phrase “reasonable probability” sounds better than “no probability” when you are dead,” said Pantelis Tsolakidis to the “Neos Kosmos“.
Now, 50 years later Pantelis Tsolakidis is the founder and director of a nonprofit cryonics storage company in Australia, which is aimed at future discoveries in medicine and technology.
How does it work? When someone dies and is officially reported dead, their body is preserved in liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees Celsius. When technology and medicine reach a required level (higher than the current one), the damage that led to the death (as well as aging and various diseases) can be corrected on the molecular level, and theoretically, a person can return to life.
The blood in the veins is removed and replaced with a special antifreeze, while the body is placed in a capsule with the head down. In this way, in case any discharge of liquid nitrogen from the top of the cryostat, the first thing to be thawed is feet, so the head will stay frozen.
When the cure for the disease that killed a cryonically-preserved person is discovered, theoretically they will be able to relive. Pantelis Tsolakidis believes that this will happen in about 200 years from now.
Like most supporters of cryonics, the scientist insists that cryonics excludes the ethical dilemma of euthanasia. The point is that the process starts after the person is officially declared dead. Moreover, it is stated that there is no guarantee, but there is a scientific basis behind all this.
