Cryonics Companies Look North for Life Preservation: Sweden in Focus

In a groundbreaking move, the world of cryonics—where the dying process is paused through subfreezing temperatures with the hope of future revival—may soon see a significant presence in the Nordics. Explore Longevity can reveal that some of the leading players in the industry, are considering establishing operations in Sweden after attending the Nordic Cryonics Convention.

What is Cryonics?

For those unfamiliar with the concept, cryonics is the process of preserving individuals (humans and pets) who are at or near death by cooling their bodies to subzero temperatures, usually at −196 °C. The aim is to halt the dying process, hoping that, in the distant future, medical advancements will allow for revival and restoration of health. While still a controversial and highly speculative practice, it has captured the imagination of many as a potential route to extending human life far beyond its natural limits.

The Nordics: A New Hub for Cryonics?

At the recent Nordic Cryonics Convention, attended by key players in the longevity and life-extension sectors, a major announcement was made by Alcor Life Extension Foundation, the industry leader in cryonics, with over 230 bodies preserved in liquid nitrogen since its founding in 1972. Alcor revealed their plans to establish a European headquarters in Sweden, after considering the country’s technological advancements, political stability, and openness to scientific innovation.

Daniel Walters, Alcor’s Community Outreach Coordinator, shared the exciting news:
“We have decided that Sweden is the best location for our European headquarters. We are extremely happy to announce this step forward.”

While Walters was tight-lipped about the exact location, he disclosed that the decision is between three potential cities. If successful, the European operation will mirror the existing model in the United States, where teams of former military personnel and emergency medical responders rush to perform the necessary procedures on patients who are close to death.

Once the body is preserved, it is transported to an advanced facility where it is submerged in a massive cryogenic chamber filled with liquid nitrogen, waiting for future revival. The ambition is to create a facility in Sweden that can handle not just one or two cases, but hundreds or even thousands of cryonic preservation procedures from across Europe.

Potential and Challenges

Alcor is hopeful that their Swedish operation could be up and running within months, contingent upon securing financing, which is expected to range from 30 to 50 million SEK. Legal regulations for building such a facility, including the complexities of freezing bodies for centuries, remain an area of concern, but Walters expressed confidence that Sweden would be a suitable location for the operation.

At the Nordic Cryonics Convention, another notable company, Tomorrow.bio, also announced their interest in expanding into the Nordic region. Dr. Emil Kendziorra, co-founder, shared that Sweden would be a suitable base for Northern Europe. Tomorrow.bio, founded in Germany in 2020, has already made its mark as the fastest-growing cryonics provider globally, with operations extending to the United States. The company has developed specialized ambulances for rapid cryopreservation procedures, offering hope to those seeking to extend their lives in this unconventional way.

Cost-wise, cryonics procedures in Sweden would be in line with American prices—around $200,000 for full-body preservation, and $80,000 for just the head. These services can potentially be covered by life insurance, and companies like Tomorrow.bio are offering monthly subscription plans that make the concept more accessible to the public.

The Cryonics Revolution: What’s Next for Sweden?

As cryonics companies look to establish a foothold in Sweden, the country stands at the crossroads of a fascinating and controversial frontier in science. The ambition to make cryonics more accessible to the European market, coupled with Sweden’s favorable environment for scientific progress, could see the country emerge as a hub for life extension technologies in the coming years.

While the future of cryonics remains uncertain, the growing interest in this field suggests that the dream of life preservation—paused in time until future technologies are able to revive individuals—may no longer be confined to the realm of science fiction. Whether Sweden will become the epicenter of this global movement remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the conversation about life extension has entered a new phase, and it’s one that promises to push the boundaries of what we once thought possible.