Becca Ziegler’s Bold Choice: Cryogenic Freezing for a Future Revival
Becca Ziegler, a 24-year-old from California, plans to have her body cryogenically frozen after she dies. She works in educational technology and lives in Berlin. Ziegler has signed up with Tomorrow Biostasis, a startup offering cryonic preservation services.
After her death, medics will infuse her body with a chemical solution to prevent ice crystals from forming. A team will then transport her remains to a storage facility in Switzerland. She hopes that advancements in medical technology will eventually enable her to be revived.
Ziegler said she is curious about the future and enjoys life. “If I could buy myself more time, that sounds really appealing,” she stated.
Cryonics, once a practice for wealthy individuals, is now more accessible. Various companies globally offer cryopreservation, with around 500 people believed to have been frozen so far. The myth that Walt Disney was cryonically preserved has been debunked.
Tomorrow Biostasis, founded in 2020, claims to be the first of its kind in Europe. The company charges a monthly membership fee of €50. Upon death, a lump-sum payment of €200,000 is required, or €75,000 if only the brain is frozen. This cost can be covered through life insurance.
The company aims to make cryopreservation affordable for more people. Co-founder Emil Kendziorra believes that this process can be performed now, unlike other medical advancements that take time.
How is public perception of cryonics evolving among different age groups and demographics?
Exclusive Interview: Becca Ziegler on Choosing Cryonics for Her Future
By [Your Name], News Editor, newsdirectory3.com
In a groundbreaking decision that pushes the boundaries of life and death, 24-year-old Becca Ziegler from California has chosen to undergo cryonic preservation upon her death. Now living in Berlin and working in the field of educational technology, Ziegler speaks with us about her remarkable choice, her hopes for the future, and the growing acceptance of cryonics.
Interview Highlights
Q: Becca, what inspired you to consider cryonics as a viable option for your future?
Becca Ziegler: I’ve always been fascinated by technology and how it shapes our lives. As someone who works in educational technology, I see the rapid advancements we make every day. It’s inspiring. When I learned about cryonics, I thought, why not explore the possibility of extending life through technology? The idea of potentially being revived in the future if medical technology advances is simply too compelling to ignore.
Q: Many people think of cryonics as something only the wealthy pursue. Do you believe this perception is changing?
Becca Ziegler: Definitely. While it may have been the case in the past, more people are starting to see cryonics as an accessible option. Startups like Tomorrow Biostasis are working to democratize the process, making it more approachable for individuals like myself who aren’t necessarily billionaires. I think as public awareness increases, we’ll see a shift towards broader acceptance.
Q: Can you describe the process of cryonic preservation? What will happen after you pass?
Becca Ziegler: Once I pass away, a medical team will infuse my body with a special chemical solution. This solution is critical because it helps prevent ice crystals from forming, which can cause damage to cells. Following that, my remains will be transported to Switzerland where they will undergo the cryonics process. It’s all very well planned out, and I trust the team at Tomorrow Biostasis to handle everything efficiently.
Q: How do you feel about the concept of immortality? Are there any anxieties associated with it?
Becca Ziegler: I think immortality is an intriguing concept that raises a lot of questions about the nature of life and existence. For me, it’s not just about living forever, but about the opportunity to live in a future that might be so different from today. I’m excited about what lies ahead and, sure, there’s some anxiety about the unknown, but I’m fundamentally an optimist. I believe that greater advancements in medicine and technology will lead to extraordinary things.
Q: How do your friends and family feel about your decision? Has it been met with understanding or skepticism?
Becca Ziegler: It’s been a mixed bag. Some friends and family are incredibly supportive and think it’s a fascinating choice. Others are skeptical and concerned about the implications. It’s a big decision, after all, and I respect that people have different views on it. My goal is to share information and help others understand what cryonics is really about.
Q: what’s your hope for the future?
Becca Ziegler: I hope to see a world where people can thrive alongside advancing technology. If I could buy myself more time, that sounds really appealing. My ultimate dream is to one day wake up and see the incredible changes the world has made — to witness the progress in medicine, technology, and society at large.
As Becca Ziegler prepares for a future that defies traditional boundaries, her decision to embrace cryonics embodies a fusion of hope and curiosity, challenging us all to reconsider our understanding of life and death. It remains to be seen what is in store for her and others who dare to explore the possibilities of tomorrow.
Stay tuned for more coverage on emerging technologies and the evolving landscape of life extension.
When a customer dies, Tomorrow Biostasis sends a specialized ambulance and medical team to cool the body using ice and water. The body is treated with a cryoprotectant and transported to Switzerland, where it is stored in liquid nitrogen at -200C.
Tomorrow Biostasis reports having around 700 paying members and has cryopreserved four people to date. Most customers are healthy individuals, aged 30 to 40, who work in technology, and are predominantly male.
Experts remain skeptical about bringing a cryopreserved person back to life. Holger Reinsch, from the Cryo Competence Center in Germany, questions the viability of this concept. He points out that no one has successfully revived a cryopreserved person.
Researchers have made some advancements, such as successfully cryopreserving a rabbit’s brain in 2014 and freezing human brain tissue for later function recovery in 2023. However, Reinsch believes reviving humans remains unlikely.
Kendziorra recognizes the uncertainty of the outcome. Ziegler remains confident about her choice. “In some ways, it’s weird,” she admits. “But the alternative is being put in a box in the ground and getting eaten by worms.”