Berlin-based startup Tomorrow Bio is providing a new avenue for revival with its $222,000 cryogenic preservation service.

 Berlin-based startup Tomorrow Bio is gaining attention with its innovative service: cryogenic preservation of deceased bodies, aiming for potential revival in the future. This cutting-edge procedure costs $222,603, plus a monthly membership fee of $55.

The company reports that six individuals and five pets have already undergone the process, with around 650 people currently on the waiting list, averaging 36 years old.

Tomorrow Bio employs advanced technology for what it terms “field cryoprotection.” This process begins immediately after a person is declared legally dead. The company has equipped ambulances to function as mobile surgery units, enabling on-site initiation of cryopreservation.

Co-founder Fernando Azevedo Pinheiro remarked, “Personally, I believe that within my lifetime — I’m currently 40 years old — we may see the successful cryopreservation and reanimation of complex organisms.”

The procedure involves substituting the body's fluids with what is essentially medical-grade antifreeze to prevent permanent cold damage. The temperature is then slowly reduced to about minus 320 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of a week. After this, the body is placed in a long steel container filled with liquid nitrogen for extended preservation.

Pinheiro explains that many people are drawn to cryopreservation due to a profound fear of death. "For some, the main motivation is the fear of dying. Cryopreservation provides hope and a sense of security, offering a possible way to extend their lives." Despite its high cost, the service attracts those intrigued by future technologies and experiences, including the potential for space travel.

Tomorrow Bio is unique in its claim to provide immediate cryopreservation. If a person is successfully revived and the full investment hasn't been used for their treatment, they receive a refund for the unused portion. The company points to a successful example of a similar preservation technique used to save a rabbit’s kidney.

With storage facilities across Europe, including Berlin and Amsterdam, Tomorrow Bio is also planning to open a satellite location in New York City. As the concept of cryogenic preservation gains popularity, many clients remain hopeful about future possibilities. Pinheiro notes, “Many customers are excited by the potential of future technologies and experiences, such as space travel.”

In summary, Tomorrow Bio is pioneering a controversial yet fascinating field, offering a chance to potentially overcome death through advanced preservation techniques. While it raises numerous ethical and scientific questions, the idea of reanimation continues to captivate the imagination of many.