A Chinese Man Thawed Out His Late Wife, Then Moved On – Is That Right?
A bizarre case in China has been making waves online, sparking heated debates about the ethics of cryonic preservation. In 2017, Gui Junmin had his wife, Zhan Wenlian, cryogenically frozen after she died of lung cancer. She was the first Chinese person to undergo this procedure, which was paid for by a science research institute in Jinan, east China.
Before her death, Zhan reportedly consented to the process, and it was intended to preserve her body for 30 years. But what's got people talking is that Gui began dating again – not long after his wife's "preservation" had begun. He now has a new partner, Wang Chunxia, who apparently told Southern Weekly newspaper that their relationship was only "utilitarian," with no romantic connotations.
Gui himself described the arrangement as such, stating he needed someone to care for him while he recovered from a severe case of gout. A frozen wife won't be much help on that front, it seems.
It's unclear how Wang feels about being Gui's second partner in life. However, one thing is clear: their relationship has sparked intense discussion about the ethics of cryonic preservation and whether it's fair to pursue new love while someone you loved remains "preserved" in a state of suspended animation.
Gui initially stated that he didn't believe his wife was truly dead – just resting for a while. The fact that he started dating again suggests that time has moved on, and the inevitable process of moving forward has begun.
Cryonic preservation has a melancholic air to it, as well as all biohacking efforts aimed at extending human lifespan. The science may one day help us reverse death's grip entirely – but for now, it remains an experimental endeavor with no guarantees.
Ultimately, this is about the human inability to let go of loved ones who are gone. In a sad twist of fate, Gui will likely find that his frozen wife won't be returning anytime soon. Maybe Wang will continue to care for him; maybe he'll even find happiness again – but it's impossible not to feel sympathy for both women involved.
As the world grapples with cryonic preservation and what it means for human emotions, one thing is clear: death may not be the end of the line, but it is an irreversible end.
A bizarre case in China has been making waves online, sparking heated debates about the ethics of cryonic preservation. In 2017, Gui Junmin had his wife, Zhan Wenlian, cryogenically frozen after she died of lung cancer. She was the first Chinese person to undergo this procedure, which was paid for by a science research institute in Jinan, east China.
Before her death, Zhan reportedly consented to the process, and it was intended to preserve her body for 30 years. But what's got people talking is that Gui began dating again – not long after his wife's "preservation" had begun. He now has a new partner, Wang Chunxia, who apparently told Southern Weekly newspaper that their relationship was only "utilitarian," with no romantic connotations.
Gui himself described the arrangement as such, stating he needed someone to care for him while he recovered from a severe case of gout. A frozen wife won't be much help on that front, it seems.
It's unclear how Wang feels about being Gui's second partner in life. However, one thing is clear: their relationship has sparked intense discussion about the ethics of cryonic preservation and whether it's fair to pursue new love while someone you loved remains "preserved" in a state of suspended animation.
Gui initially stated that he didn't believe his wife was truly dead – just resting for a while. The fact that he started dating again suggests that time has moved on, and the inevitable process of moving forward has begun.
Cryonic preservation has a melancholic air to it, as well as all biohacking efforts aimed at extending human lifespan. The science may one day help us reverse death's grip entirely – but for now, it remains an experimental endeavor with no guarantees.
Ultimately, this is about the human inability to let go of loved ones who are gone. In a sad twist of fate, Gui will likely find that his frozen wife won't be returning anytime soon. Maybe Wang will continue to care for him; maybe he'll even find happiness again – but it's impossible not to feel sympathy for both women involved.
As the world grapples with cryonic preservation and what it means for human emotions, one thing is clear: death may not be the end of the line, but it is an irreversible end.
I mean, cryonic preservation is one thing, but freezing your spouse and then dating again? that's just cold (no pun intended) 
. And what's with the "utilitarian" relationship with Wang Chunxia? sounds like he's using her as a surrogate caregiver 
. on the other hand, I feel bad for both women involved - Gui Junmin is clearly struggling to cope with his loss 
, and Zhan Wenlian's family must be wondering what happened to their loved one 
. anyway, I guess this just goes to show that cryonic preservation isn't a magic solution to keeping loved ones alive...it's still death, plain and simple 
.
. But, let's be real, it's still weird to think that someone's loved one is 'on hold' in a freezer 
. Maybe we'll see more advancements in cryonic preservation that can give us some closure when we lose our loves ones 
.
. We need to find ways to support each other through the tough times... or at least make sure someone's looking out for Gui while he navigates his feelings 
.
- I mean, his wife gave consent to be cryogenically frozen before she died, so he's just following through on that. But at the same time, can you blame him for moving on? She's been "preserved" for 8 years now... what's the point of holding onto something that's not really here anymore? 
Ugh, I'm so confused...
I mean, it's one thing to want to preserve your partner's body for 30 years, but to start dating again right away? That can be seen as pretty insensitive, especially considering the circumstances. Wang should know what she's getting into. On the other hand, Gui needs someone to care for him while he recovers from gout... I guess that's a valid reason. 
The fact is, cryonic preservation is still an experimental thing and there are no guarantees it'll work out. I feel bad for Zhan's family and friends who have to deal with the emotional aftermath of her passing. It's not just about Gui finding happiness again; it's also about respecting the people he left behind. 
. While I get that Gui was going through a tough time after losing his wife, I think it's kinda messed up that he started dating again so soon 
. It feels like he's treating her as just a frozen body, not the person she was to him