The Sarco machine, a coffin-shaped suicide machine allowing the occupants to kill themselves passed a legal review in Switzerland. Here’s all you need to know.
What is the Sarco pod suicide machine all about?
The Sarco machine can be operated by the occupant from inside. It is as easy and conceivable to use even for those with the locked-in syndrome, with just a blink. The coffin-like machine works by lowering the oxygen level below a critical level. Additionally, it takes less than a minute since the occupant meets their death with hypoxia and hypocapnia. The process is painless, allowing a person to die in peace and a painless manner.
In Switzerland, assisted suicide is legal. And, about 1,300 people used the services of Exit and Dignitas, euthanasia organizations in 2020. However, unlike Sarco, both these firms use indigestible liquid barbiturate drugs for assisted suicide. Moreover, the drug includes the user to a deep coma in two to five minutes and leads to death. Sarco, short of sarcophagus can be towed to a location of the user’s preference. Additionally, its biodegradable capsule can detach from the base of the pod and serve as the coffin.
Sarco: Opposition and criticism
However, Dr. Philip Nitschke, dubbed ‘Doctor Death’ is the creator of the pod. Additionally, he is also the director of Exit International, a non-profit organization. Due to the methods used, Dr. Nitsche is facing opposition from those against it. “Gas may never be an acceptable method for assisted suicide in Europe due to the negative connotations of the Holocaust. Some have even said that it’s just a glorified gas chamber,” stated Dr. Nitschke in a 2018 interview with The Independent.
Additionally, the pod’s futuristic design draws more criticism. People stated that it glamorizes suicide. The pod was accompanied by a VR app allowing users to “experience their virtual death”. However, when displayed in Westerkerk Church’s 2018 Funeral Expo, it invited worries from the church board. “Westerkerk will never support people by offering equipment as promoted by Dr. Nitschke and we seriously wonder whether this contributes to a thorough and careful discussion around the issue,” said Jeroen Kramer. Kramer is the president of the church board. “We will not and cannot support any suggestion of using such equipment,” added Kramer.
