My question is simple, is really cryopreservation an answer to achieve
immortality?
Let's suppose that I die (not that I'm counting on it!) and endure
cryopreservation.
The damage done to the cells (or to the neurons which is what really
matters) during the freezing process is noticeable, many will be
destroyed in the process not to mention the cells that will be damaged
while I'm not frizzed. If I'm old, I have already lost many
neurons and many others would have severe damage.
The bigger amount of damage would come from the time I would be in
cryopreservation. I don't have a clue to how much would that be but
we're talking about 50, 100, 200, 500 years! Even more damage is done to
the cells.
In the future, some guys unfreeze my head, probably put it on a new body
and start
working on putting me back to life. The answer would be nanotechnology
to repair the
damage in my brain cells.
Here's my problem, they won't know how the cells were when I died, so
they will just follow a blueprint of 'standard brains' to repair me. My
problem is that, depending on the extent of the damage, I will no longer
be me! I will be a different person because my brain will be changed. I
(or my other me, since that person will no longer be me) might have some
memories of how I used to be but I will be another person.
What do you think of this?
Personally, I'm 19 years old. So, statistically speaking, I have more
than 50 years to find a cure for aging.
This reminds me of an interesting problem I once argued about, let's
suppose that scientists find a way to transpose a person to another
distant place, almost instantly.
Of course that one's molecules would have to be disorganized and a mass
of one's molecules would be formed. This mass would then go to the other
place in a few seconds and the molecules would, again, be arranged so
that the body of the person would be a body again, a super computer
would know the exact positions of each atom so that the person who left
location A would be exactly in the same conditions is location B.
Do you think this is the same person who left or is another?
Complicating the situation, I could say that some atoms would not be
exactly in the same position but the health of the person would not be
affected. Now, is this the same person who left location A?
What about if some atoms are replaced but the positions remain the same?
What if some atoms are replaced and some positions changed? What if all
atoms are changed but the positions are the same? Remember that for
everyone else this person is always the same no matter how many atoms
you replace. I'm atheist so I don't believe much in souls but I think
some of this questions are interesting.
Enough of divagation,
Hasta la vista...
Check out my site at http://mithlond.esoterica.pt/~jpnitya/