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[[File:Cryonics tatoo.jpg|400px|thumb|right|[[Matthew Bryce Deutsch]]'s tattoo explaining the initial steps to prepare for cryonic preservation.]]
[[File:Cryonics tatoo.jpg|400px|thumb|right|[[Todd Huffman]]'s tattoo explaining the initial steps to prepare for cryonic preservation.<ref>''Cryonics Magazine'' [[Alcor]] Life Extension Foundation. Volume 334 July-August 2012.[https://issuu.com/alcorlife/docs/cryonics2012-4] "Todd has had
the instructions from his Alcor medicalert bracelet tattooed on his torso. (Note: the above information is altered in minor ways for reasons of privacy
and to prevent harassment.)"</ref>]]
'''Cryonics''' is a controversial [[life extension]] technique that aims to preserve neural activity and life typically of a recently deceased person through use of preservation techniques and low temperatures so that resurrection may be possible in the future when technologies have improved.
'''Cryonics''' is a controversial [[life extension]] technique that aims to preserve neural activity and life typically of a recently deceased person through use of preservation techniques and low temperatures so that resurrection may be possible in the future when technologies have improved.
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
* [http://www.imminst.org/cryonics_letter/ Full text and list of signatories]
* [https://www.biostasis.com/scientists-open-letter-on-cryonics/ Full text and list of signatories]
== Criticism ==
== Criticism ==
== Philosophy ==
== Philosophy ==
''Main: [[Problems with mind uploading]]''
While it's sad that people focus on philosophical issues instead of the myriad technical and social problems that plague cryonics, along with its attachment to a history of failure and incompetence, philosophical concerns should still be addressed.
While it's sad that people focus on philosophical issues instead of the myriad technical and social problems that plague cryonics, along with its attachment to a history of failure and incompetence, philosophical concerns should still be addressed.
* '''Real Definition:''' Consciousness is self-awareness, and thus becomes discontinuous during sleep, unconsciousness, et cetera.
* '''Real Definition:''' Consciousness is self-awareness, and thus becomes discontinuous during sleep, unconsciousness, et cetera.
* '''Alternate Definition:''' Consciousness is defined as a subset of (Or the totality of) brain activity, and thus a person's consciousness remains continuous during sleep and what is usually called 'unconsciousness', and only stops when brain activity ceases (Medico-legal death, not necessarily [[Glossary#INFORMATION-THEORETIC DEATH|Information-theoretic]]).
* '''Alternate Definition:''' Consciousness is defined as a subset of (Or the totality of) brain activity, and thus a person's consciousness remains continuous during sleep and what is usually called 'unconsciousness', and only stops when brain activity ceases (Medico-legal death, not necessarily [[Anders Sandberg's Transhuman Terminology#INFORMATION-THEORETIC DEATH|Information-theoretic]]).
But what is relevant is not the definition of consciousness, but how this matters to personal identity. Again, here we have two opinions:
But what is relevant is not the definition of consciousness, but how this matters to personal identity. Again, here we have two opinions:
* Non-toxic cryoprotectants
* Non-toxic cryoprotectants
** Fractures would still be a problem when around T<sub>g</sub>.
** Fractures would still be a problem when around T<sub>g</sub>.
*** Fractures in some cases will require vascular surgery ([[#Katherine V. Mills|Katherine Mills]]; severed aorta) and in the worst cases organ transplantation & spinal cord replacement/regeneration (Janice Foote, almost severed lung, spinal cord severed in 3). See [[#Postmortem Examination|the postmortem examination]].
*** Fractures in some cases will require vascular surgery (Katherine Mills; severed aorta) and in the worst cases organ transplantation & spinal cord replacement/regeneration (Janice Foote, almost severed lung, spinal cord severed in 3).
* The [http://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/7274-prometheus-project/ Prometheus Project] tried to achieve reversible brain cryopreservation, but this didn't pan out.
* The [[Prometheus Project]] tried to achieve reversible brain cryopreservation, but this didn't pan out.
=== Research into Alternatives ===
=== Research into Alternatives ===
* [[#Alternatives|Alternatives]] to cryonics may produce low-cost solutions for long term storage of [[#Patients|patients]]
* Alternatives to cryonics may produce low-cost solutions for long term storage of [[Cryonics patients|patients]]
* May also increase chances of revival and better preserve the tissues
* May also increase chances of revival and better preserve the tissues
* Things like [[#Plastination|plastination]] may be more easily accepted by the mainstream neuroscience community
* Things like [[plastination]] may be more easily accepted by the mainstream neuroscience community
== Publications ==
== Publications ==
=== Links ===
=== Links ===
* [https://www.alcor.org/library/will-cryonics-work/ Will Cryonics Work? Examining the Probabilities] By Steven B. Harris and Mike Perry, 1989
* [https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/NEpZGLNMGc447ez34/how-likely-is-cryonics-to-work How likely is cryonics to work?] By JeffTK, Less Wrong, 2011
* [http://bach.ai/in-defense-of-cryonics/ In defence of cryonics] By [[Joscha Bach]], 2015
* [http://cryoeuro.eu/ CryoEuro Wiki], an excellent collection of documents on Cryonics. Maintained mostly by [[Eugen Leitl]].
* [http://cryoeuro.eu/ CryoEuro Wiki], an excellent collection of documents on Cryonics. Maintained mostly by [[Eugen Leitl]].
* [http://www.21cm.com/articles/organ_cryopreservation.html ''Organ Cryopreservation''] by [[Gregory Fahy]].
* [http://www.21cm.com/articles/organ_cryopreservation.html ''Organ Cryopreservation''] by [[Gregory Fahy]].