HUMAN HIBERNATION

By ALEX DUNBAR

Everyone’s favorite super secret experimental artillery organization’s taken a creepy interest in suspended animation. If you’re not already familiar, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) is the agency responsible for creating and advancing nightmarish super-weapons for the US military. Whether it’s unstoppable robotic pack mules, exo-skeleton suits, or the infamous active denial system, DARPA’s got their fingers in countless Ridley Scott-esque pies. Think 1,000 Qs from James Bond with an unlimited budget (provided by you, humble taxpayer!) and no soul.

So far, DARPA-funded suspended animation research projects have included attempts by Texas A&M to keep hemorrhaging pigs “as close to death as possible,” tests on the pancreatic enzyme in squirrels responsible for hibernation, and other investigations into so-called “hypersleep.” If successful, suspended animation technology would have wide-reaching applications in medicine, space travel, and, of course, battle.

By ALEX DUNBAR 2 years ago

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