Revolutionary Assisted Suicide Capsules to Launch Soon
A new frontier in assisted dying, the portable suicide pod, is expected to be used in Switzerland within months, providing a method for death without medical supervision. The Sarco capsule, resembling a space-age device, replaces oxygen with nitrogen, causing death by hypoxia for a fee of $20.
Legal and ethical considerations
The Last Resort organization, which advocates for assisted dying, sees no legal barriers to the Sarco’s use in Switzerland, where assisted suicide is permissible if the individual initiates the lethal act. “We have people queuing up to use the Sarco,” said Florian Willet, CEO of The Last Resort.
The capsule requires the user to pass a psychiatric assessment of their mental capacity. Once inside, the individual answers automated questions before pressing a button to initiate the process. Philip Nitschke, the Sarco’s inventor, described the experience as “breathing air without oxygen until falling into an eternal sleep.”
How it works
Upon pressing the button, the oxygen level inside the capsule drops from 21% to 0.05% within 30 seconds. Users experience disorientation and euphoria before losing consciousness and dying within five minutes. The Sarco monitors vital signs to confirm death.
First use and secrecy
Details about the first user and location are kept confidential to avoid turning the event into a media spectacle. The capsule will be used in a private, natural setting. Lawyer Fiona Stewart from The Last Resort’s advisory board mentioned the possibility of use this year, with a minimum age limit of 50, though exceptions may be made for those over 18 who are seriously ill.
Development and debate
The Sarco, funded by donations and developed by Nitschke’s Exit International, has raised legal and ethical debates in Switzerland. Some cantonal authorities have opposed its use. Stewart argued that nitrogen, comprising 78% of the air, is not a medical product and that the Sarco aims to de-medicalize assisted suicide.
The capsule, costing over €650,000 to develop, has not been tested on humans or animals. Future versions may accommodate larger individuals or couples wishing to die together. Despite its potential uses, The Last Resort ensures the Sarco will not be permitted for capital punishment.
This groundbreaking development in assisted dying highlights the ongoing debate about the ethical and legal boundaries of end-of-life choices.