In Russia, the promise of eternal life
Audio 02:32
Demonstration mannequin.
The cryogenic bodies are stored in liquid nitrogen at -196 ° C.
© Kryorus
By: Daniel Vallot Follow
6 mins
In Russia, a company embarked on the adventure of cryonics more than 15 years ago.
She has so far "frozen" 80 people, whose bodies are kept in the Moscow region.
Publicity
From our correspondent in Moscow,
At first glance, the premises of Kryorus do not inspire much confidence ... A tin shed, located in the distant suburbs of Moscow, and inside, three huge white containers.
This is where Kryorus' “customers” are stored.
Valeria Oudalova is the director of this rather special company.
She explains the process.
“
After death, the blood is drained from the body.
Then, a vitrification system prevents the formation of crystals.
Then, we immerse the body in one of these containers.
Our patients are kept there in liquid nitrogen, at a temperature of -196 ° C. They are placed vertically, upside down…
”
To date, Kryorus has frozen 80 people, and 45 pets.
The company offers two options: the preservation of the body for 30,000 euros, or that of the brain only, for 12,000 euros.
Hopes for a better new life
Elena is 32 years old.
Her mother was cryogenized last December at the age of 71.
“
We decided to keep his brain, because the brain is like a USB key with all the necessary information about the person.
When science is able, we will be able to “recreate” a new biological body.
Maybe even with a modified DNA that will prevent diseases…
”, she hopes.
To its detractors, cryonics looks like bad science fiction at best, and at worst a scam.
But not for Elena who is also considering signing a contract with Kryorus.
“
Of course I thought about reuniting with mom several times.
Besides, I bought a notebook to write down everything that happens in my life… And when we meet again, I will give it to her to read so that she knows what happened in her absence
”, says Elena.
Offer subject to conditions
The contract that is signed with the patient specifies that the company guarantees only one thing: the preservation of the body. For the rest, as Valeria Oudalova explains, we will have to rely on scientific progress. “
What we are proposing is to transport a person to the future, hoping that one day science will be able to revive him. It is a scientific bet, it has nothing spiritual or religious. It's the idea that progress has no limits,
”exclaims Valeria Oudalova.
Tolerated in Russia and the United States, cryonics is illegal in many countries, including France.
The Russian company also hopes to develop its offer to Europeans - Kryorus has already frozen the bodies of 22 foreigners, including 2 French.
In Russia, the offer is much less expensive than in the United States, where you have to pay nearly $ 200,000 for this promise of eternal life.
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