– Cryogenic freezing is a method of preserving biological material by reducing the temperature to very low levels, usually below -130 °C, using liquefied gases such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

– Cryogenic freezing can prevent ice crystal formation and dehydration that can damage the cells and tissues during the freezing process.

🔅 Cryogenic freezing is also known as cryopreservation or cryoconservation.

🔅 The history of Cryoconservation

– Cryogenic freezing dates back to the 1950s, when scientists discovered that some metals showed more resistance to wear when frozen to low temperatures.

– The first application of cryogenic freezing to human cells was in 1954, when frozen sperm was used to inseminate three women. The concept of cryogenic freezing for human preservation was proposed by Robert Ettinger in his book "The Prospect of Immortality" [1962]. He founded the first cryonics organization, the Cryonics Society of Michigan, in 1966. The first human corpse to be frozen was that of James Bedford in 1967.

🔅 Applications of Cryoconservation

– Cryogenic freezing has many applications in the health and medicine field, such as:

• Cryopreservation of organs, blood, sperm and embryos for transplantation or in-vitro fertilization.

• Cryotherapy or cryosurgery for destroying abnormal or cancerous cells using extreme cold.

• Cryobiology or the study of the effects of low temperatures on living organisms.

• Cryogenics or the science and technology of producing and using very low temperatures.

🔅 Advantages of cryogenic freezing:

• It can preserve the original quality and integrity of the biological material for long periods of time or indefinitely.

• It can inhibit bacterial growth and prevent spoilage or contamination.

• It can reduce quantitative losses and dehydration during freezing and thawing.

• It can enable rapid and continuous freezing with minimal space and energy requirements.

🔅 Some disadvantages of cryogenic freezing are:

• It can be expensive and require specialized equipment and facilities.

• It can be risky and irreversible with current technology, especially for whole bodies or brains.

• It can cause ethical and legal issues regarding the status and rights of the frozen individuals.

• It can face technical challenges and limitations such as cryoprotectant toxicity, thermal stress, ice recrystallization, and rewarming damage.

💎 For more information stay tuned.