Swiss Prosecutors May Ban the Pod
Although the machine has had immense popularity in the media, it hasn’t been used yet actually to end someone’s life.
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The first person was meant to use the machine early next week; however, Swiss prosecutors have considered banning it and keeping it out of public use.
Euthanasia
In Switzerland, the practice of voluntary assisted euthanasia has been legal for decades. Many people from around the world have traveled to the central European country to end their lives with dignity after lengthy battles with painful medical conditions.
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Although the procedure is legal and can be performed in a hospital or home setting, the Schaffhausen public prosecutor’s office has threatened jail time for anyone assisting with successful use of the futuristic death pod.
What Is Sarco?
The pod resembles something out of a sci-fi movie mixed with the ultra-modern tech we see today, like sleek Tesla cars.
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The creator says that the pod is a useful way for people to end their lives in comfort and without the help of a doctor. It works by filling the capsule with nitrogen and rapidly decreasing oxygen levels, which slowly puts a person to sleep before dying.
Users Must Be Totally Conscious
There is a tricky rule with assisted dying – a person must be in bad enough pain that they want to end their life but conscious enough that they can make a cognisant choice.
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To use the pod, a person must state their full name and confirm that they know what will happen once the nitrogen flow begins. There is also an automatic shut-off button inside of the pod in case a person changes their mind.
The Pod Has Two Uses
Sarco is short for sarcophagus, and the pod will double as a coffin for the user. Once dead, they will not be moved from the device.
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The machine is made of biodegradable materials, and a person can be buried in their place of choice.
The Pod Was Almost Legal
Although the company now faces prosecution if they successfully use the machine, it was once found not to violate Swiss law.
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Early on, public prosecutor Peter Sticher warned the pod’s creator, Philip Nitschke, that he would “absolutely” face “serious legal consequences” in the future if the device is used in Schaffhausen.
Experts Warn the Pod Could Go Awry
Although the pod’s makers say its use is entirely safe, experts are concerned that its untested status poses severe disadvantages during its maiden voyage.
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A review published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that if the device malfunctions, it could lead to a state of unconsciousness in the user and a painful death, which would be contrary to the ethos of the invention.
Death Tourism
Swiss law says that anyone wishing to end their own lives must be in a sound state of mind to do so.
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The country notes that anyone traveling to Switzerland to die by legal suicide is known as a ‘suicide tourist.’ Between 2008 and 2011, 611 people have travelled to the country for this reason. The majority came from Germany, the UK, and France.
The Creator
The inventor of the pod, Dr. Philip Nitschke, is an Australian doctor who has been an advocate for the right-to-die with dignity movement. Nitschke also has a close connection to Elon Musk, who sent the now Switzerland-based doctor a remote internet setup to use the pod.
Source: @philipnitschke/X
He says that he was inspired to create the Sarco after the death of a British man who suffered from locked-in syndrome. Tony Nickilinson lived with the painful condition for decades and spent the last years of his life being denied the right to die by British judges.
The Pod Does Not Have Enough Regulation
Swiss law says that a doctor must be the one to prescribe the life-ending injection called sodium pentobarbital. The pod, however, bypasses the need to contact a doctor.
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Many lawmakers and doctors are disturbed by the immediate availability of the euthanasia pod and say that anyone seeking the service should be medically and psychologically evaluated.
Need Support?
If you need to speak to someone about suicide prevention, reach out now to the Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 9-8-8 in the United States and Canada.
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Someone will be available to text or talk 24/7.