Krüokülmutus

Krüokülmutus, also known as cryopreservation or cryonics, is a process of preserving biological matter, such as cells, tissues, organs, or even whole organisms, at very low temperatures, typically below -130 degrees Celsius. The primary goal is to prevent further biological decay and maintain the viability of the preserved material for future use. This is achieved by using cryoprotective agents (CPAs) which act as antifreeze, preventing the formation of ice crystals that can damage cells.

The process usually involves cooling the sample to extremely low temperatures in liquid nitrogen. While cryopreservation is a standard technique in many scientific fields, including fertility preservation (sperm, eggs, and embryos) and scientific research (cell lines and tissues), the application to whole human bodies, known as cryonics, is highly controversial and not scientifically proven to be reversible. Proponents of cryonics hope that future medical technology will be able to revive and repair cryopreserved individuals. However, current scientific consensus regards the revival of cryopreserved complex organisms as currently impossible.