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A woman from Melbourne has become the second person to be cryogenically frozen at Southern Cryonics, a facility in Holbrook, New South Wales. Following her death from a chronic illness on July 4, her body underwent a carefully orchestrated cooling process led by Australian Blood Management before being placed in a cryogenic chamber filled with liquid nitrogen, where it now rests at around -200°C. Cryonics enthusiasts, inspired by the promise of future revival, see this as a hopeful bet on medical advancement.
Despite its growing popularity—over 600 people worldwide have undergone cryogenic suspension—experts remain highly skeptical. Dr. Saffron Bryant, a cryopreservation researcher at RMIT, emphasized that current science can only freeze individual cells and simple tissues. Complex organs, and certainly whole bodies, are far beyond current capabilities due to challenges like ice damage during freezing and the need for varied cryoprotectants for different cell types.
Southern Cryonics was founded by Peter Tsolakides, who was inspired by Robert Ettinger’s 1962 book The Prospect of Immortality. With 32 active members paying annual fees and up to $170,000 for the procedure, the facility can store up to 40 bodies. Clients range from teens to retirees, united by a shared hope to witness the future—even if the odds of revival remain slim.
Legally, cryogenically preserved bodies in Australia are treated the same as any other remains, and Southern Cryonics is regulated as a cemetery. The company has backup systems in place, including a two-month liquid nitrogen reserve and routine maintenance. Still, agreements warn that in case of operational failure or legal changes, the company may dispose of the bodies. While critics label the practice as science fiction, supporters see it as a small chance at a second life worth taking.
