Just as surgeons once believed pain was good for their patients, some argue today that death brings meaning to life. But given humans rarely live beyond a century – even while certain whales can thrive for over two hundred years – it’s hard not to see our biological limits as profoundly unfair.

Yet, with ever-advancing science, will the ends of our lives always loom so close? For from ventilators to brain implants, modern medicine has been blurring what it means to die. In a lucid synthesis of current neuroscientific thinking, Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston explains that death is no longer the loss of heartbeat or breath, but of personal identity – that the core of our identities is our minds, and that our minds are encoded in the structure of our brains. On this basis, he explores how recently invented brain preservation techniques may offer us all the chance of preserving our minds to enable our future revival, alongside the ethical implications this technology could create.

How To Get Your Tickets

1. Book your desired number of tickets and await an email from us confirming your order. This email will contain a booking confirmation PDF, this is NOT a ticket.

2. Present your confirmation PDF on arrival at the venue. Ensure that you take personal ID with you or you may be turned away.

Additional Information

• This event is open to all ages, but is aimed at adults.

• For further event information please visit: https://www.rigb.org/whats-on/could-science-abolish-death

• You can choose a Free Ticket or a Free Ticket with £5 Donation - all £5 goes straight to the Royal Institution to continue their excellent scientific education work. Both tickets allow the same entry to the event.

Accessibility Information

• Please note: We recommend all access bookings are made directly through the event organiser, however, we are here to assist where possible. Please get in touch with us prior to booking if you have access requirements. For accessibility information please visit: https://www.rigb.org/visit