How does cryogenic freezing work

Once the team is satisfied with its work, the body is placed in a container which is lowered into a tank of liquid nitrogen, kept at C. The body is then transferred to the storage facility - in the case of the British girl, in Michigan in the US. It is expensive. The concept was developed in the early 20th century. The first person on whom the process was performed after his legal death was Dr James Bedford, who died of cancer on 12 January The day of Dr Bedford's death and cryopreservation is marked within the community as Bedford Day.

This is a highly contentious area. Alcor's co-founder Linda Chamberlain says the company is providing a realistic service that gives hope. There are around people cryopreserved in the US alone.

As the procedure hit the headlines again this week, we look at why people are freezing their bodies after death Fri, Nov 18, , Updated: Fri, Nov 18, , Jennifer O'Connell. Commenting on The Irish Times has changed. To comment you must now be an Irish Times subscriber. The account details entered are not currently associated with an Irish Times subscription. Please subscribe to sign in to comment. You should receive instructions for resetting your password.

When you have reset your password, you can Sign In. Please choose a screen name. This name will appear beside any comments you post. Your screen name should follow the standards set out in our community standards.

Screen Name Selection. Only letters, numbers, periods and hyphens are allowed in screen names. Please enter your email address so we can send you a link to reset your password. Your Comments. Sign In Sign Out. We reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the Community Standards.

Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Prev NEXT.

Life Science. Genetic Science. By: Stephanie Watson. Photo courtesy Alcor Life Extension Foundation. A surgeon at Alcor performs initial procedures to gain access to a patient's vascular system, preparing for the vitrification process.

Register or Log In. The Magazine Shop. Login Register Stay Curious Subscribe. Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news. Sign Up. Already a subscriber? Want more? More From Discover.