The question of whether people will become immortal in the future is an eternal one. Throughout history people have always thought about the possibility of becoming immortal. Maybe immortality is in the hands of god, or perhaps science will one day invent a way of becoming immortal? 

Especially since mid 20th century, attempts to defy death by freezing bodies have developed significantly. In 1967, the first human being was frozen with the intention of being brought back to life. This procedure was performed by the scientist Bob Nelson. After that many bodies or even just brains followed, all hoping to be unfrozen at some point.

In 2016 the Massachusetts Institute of Technology made a breakthrough in this area of science. The first mammal brain, a rabbit's, was successfully unfrozen and investigated. After carefully investigating, researchers stated that the connections between neurons stayed intact. These connections are vital to preserve personality and memories. Although this rabbit brain was not functional, it showed that the delicate structure of the brain can be preserved. It was a big step towards reviving a functional brain in the future.

This research is strongly connected to the forbidden death or denying death attitudes described by Aries. Death is highly medicalized to the point that scientists believe they can in some way defy death. The condition of dying is ignored by freezing the body with the belief that this body can be revived and the person can live on.

Sources

Sutton, C. (2017). Human bodies frozen in desert facility waiting for science to wake them up [Web Article]. Retrieved from: https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/human-body/human-bodies-frozen-in-desert-facility-waiting-for-science-to-wake-them-up/news-story/db8632fc98b5d1361744bb4f989098bc

Thomson, H. (2016). Mammal brain frozen and thawed out perfectly for first time [web article]. Retrieved from: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2077140-mammal-brain-frozen-and-thawed-out-perfectly-for-first-time/