James Bedford’s body has been frozen. He hoped to get a cancer cure this way

As medicine continues to evolve, many people are looking for ways to extend their lives. Apart from taking care of one’s health before death, cryopreservation, i.e. deep freezing of human bodies after declaring death, has become quite an interesting proposition. What is and who was James Bedford, the first frozen man in history?

1. James Bedford was the first person to undergo cryopreservation, i.e. the cooling of the body after death to the boiling point of liquid nitrogen (-196 degrees C) 
2. Bedford wrote down 100 in his will. dollars for cryonics research
3. Bedford’s body is still stored – currently housed at the Alcor Life Extension Foundation. This is a cryonics organization in Scottsdale, United States
4. Although cryopreservation is still not developed enough to awaken frozen people, research in this area is ongoing. All cryonics enthusiasts celebrate the so-called Bedford Day on the anniversary of James Bedford’s death
5. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

James Bedford – who was he?

James Bedford was born on April 28, 1893 in the United States. His professional life was based on an academic career – he was a professor of psychology at the University of California. During his career, he has published several books on career guidance. In turn, privately it functioned in a rather traditional way; Bedford got married and started a family (he had five children). In the meantime, he devoted time to developing his passions, i.e. photography, but also to organizing various journeys.

At the end of his life, the professor developed kidney cancer. Unfortunately, due to lung metastases, there was no chance of rescue – the medicine of that time did not treat such extreme cases. James Bedford died on January 12, 1967 at the age of 73 in Los Angeles. In his will, however, he managed to express his last will, which was to donate 100 zlotys. dollars to research in the field of cryonics. After his death, however, he wanted to give up cryopreservation surgery.

What is cryonics?

Cryonics to technology cooling down bodies humans or animals, and today also tissues and cells. They are reduced to the boiling point of liquid nitrogen, as such conditions stop various processes occurring in all cells. James Lovelock was a pioneer in this field. Research in the field of cryonics began in the mid-twentieth century. At first, only animals were subjected to cryopreservation, and later found the first daredevil – Bedford. But what was it supposed to do?

Current medicine does not allow the development of drugs for various diseases, but many scientists believe it will be possible in the future. Freezing the bodies of people and animals those who die as a result of incurable diseases are therefore intended to enable them to be brought back to life in the future, when effective drugs are available. Due to the fact that medicine is constantly evolving, it is quite likely that in several dozen years we will be able to cure, for example, cancer.

Cryonics therefore gave hope to all people to return to the world of the living at the right moment. Despite this, research is still being carried out to improve this technique in the context of human health – unfortunately, it has not been possible to bring back to life any of the frozen ones.

Currently, the cryonics technique is used to freeze e.g. oocytes and sperm. As a result, many women can become pregnant despite various obstacles. This is quite a popular solution in some countries – for example, the in vitro fertilization method uses cryopreservation.

1. Brain frozen for later

Human body cryopreservation

Body cryopreservation is possible only after natural human death is confirmed. This procedure is performed several hours after death. Using special tools, the body is cooled down to -196 degrees C. It is important not to do it too quickly, because then it may lead to cell damage. Scientists say that the optimal speed of cooling down the human body is about 1 deg. C per minute.

After reaching the right temperature, all processes inside the tissues stop. As a result, the body can be kept in perfect condition. The cells remain undamaged, which gives hope to bring them back to life. In order for the procedure to be successful, scientists must use appropriate substances that will eliminate the risk of ice crystals appearing in the cells. They are called cryoprotectants. Another important aspect is that the bodies must be stored in appropriate conditions – most often these are chambers that maintain negative temperatures (e.g. Dewar vessel).

The First Frozen Man – James Bedford

In 1965, the Life Extension Society (LES), the first organization to popularize the technique of cryonics, offered to perform a free cryopreservation surgery willing person. The event was scientific and experimental, as the human body had never been successfully frozen before. Although Bedford was already interested in this area of ​​research at that point, he decided not to take part in the project.

Two years later, after losing an unequal fight against cancer, it was frozen with its own funds. Everyone involved in the project carried out their work with the hope of bringing Bedford back to life at a time when cancer drug will already be developed and available.

1. Atypical neoplasms

What was the process of preparing for the procedure like? After declaring death, doctors kept the blood circulating by means of heart massage. Meanwhile, they chilled the body with ice. Then three scientists joined the procedure – biophysicist Dante Brunol, cryobiologist Robert Prehoda and Robert Nelson, who later became famous for describing the whole process in his book “We froze the first man”. The men applied special substances to protect Bedford’s tissues from damage, but years later it turned out that they did not achieve the desired result.

What happened to Bedford’s body after being frozen?

After being frozen, Bedford’s body was transported to a new location several times before finally resting at the headquarters of the ALCOR foundation for cryonics research. These circumstances had an impact on the condition of the frozen corpse, as it was associated with temperature changes. Despite this, the body condition turned out to be good – 24 years after the cryopreservation procedure, scientists decided to check them again.

First, they were extracted from Dewar vesselswhich kept the temperature constant. Interestingly, you can find original photos from this event on the Internet. According to official documents, Bedford’s appearance was assessed very positively; apparently he looked very young, as if time was kind to him.

Unfortunately, only modern medicine has discovered that it is required to use the so-called vitrifiers so that the frozen body is not damaged. The introduction of these innovative methods did not take place until the end of the XNUMXth century, leading to the conclusion that James Bedford’s body could not be kept intact. Despite this, it is still stored under appropriate conditions in Arizona.

ALCOR – What does the foundation that holds Bedford’s body do?

Bedford’s body has been stored for several decades at the headquarters of the ALCOR foundation). This non-profit organization focuses its activities on the cryopreservation of tissues of willing people after their death. Anyone can use the foundation’s services. It is enough to pay the membership fee and bear the costs of the procedure, but these are amounts starting from PLN 80. dollars. Depending on the needs, ALCOR customers have the option after their death freeze your body just be the brain.

1. He was said to have had seven heart transplants and wanted to live for 200 years

The Foundation promises to bring all frozen patients back to life when the medical level is sufficient to do so. It turns out that many people use their offer – the current number of stored bodies / brains of patients is estimated at almost two hundred. On the official ALCOR website you can also find information about the foundation’s members and the entire process preparation for cryopreservation.

The Importance of Bedford’s Story to Medicine

James Bedford’s cryopreservation in 1967 left much to be desired. Makeshift tools and methods were used as the exact operation of the process was not yet realized. Although his body has not been properly protected with modern vitrifying agents, it is in fairly good condition (at least visually). Scientists agree that bringing Bedford back to life would be impossible. Various cells in his body have probably been damaged – ice crystals may have appeared in them. Despite this, James Bedford was the first frozen man in history to play an important role for the researchers of cryonics.

For this reason, the day of his death is known as Bedford Day. Everyone interested in the cryonics research area is celebrating then development of cryopreservation. While it has still not been possible to bring anyone back to life, scientists are constantly working to develop molecular nanotechnology. It is it that will make it possible to frostbite all patients and get rid of cell changes or damage that have occurred as a result of low temperatures.

Doctors place great hopes in this area of ​​research. Development of cryopreservation it would also allow the storage of human organs for transplantation over a longer period of time. Such a solution would certainly save many human lives, which, unfortunately, modern medicine often does not allow.

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