‘Death capsule’ deemed the ‘Tesla of euthanasia’ ‘could be used for assisted suicides in Switzerland for the first time this month’

A ‘death capsule’ designed to carry out assisted suicides is due to be used for the first time this month, Swiss media reports.

The Sarco, short for sarcophagus, would enable the euthanasia patient inside it to press a button and die ‘within seconds’, according to the company behind it, Exit Switzerland.

The case – which looks like something out of a sci-fi film and has been likened to a Tesla car – fills with nitrogen to starve the occupant of oxygen, rendering the patient unconscious before they die.

Its creator, controversial assisted dying advocate Dr Philip Nitschke, who has been dubbed ‘Dr Death’, claims his invention could allow users to die swiftly and painlessly.

While the Australian researcher claims that his device would give people the chance to end their lives in a ‘peaceful’ way, pro-life groups have warned that the pods, which could be made by a 3D printer, ‘glamorize suicide’. 

Australian euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke (pictured), also known as ‘Dr Death’, is a former physician and head of the voluntary euthanasia campaign Exit International

‘Coming soon’ is written on the Exit Switzerland website under a picture of the suicide capsule, with no further details.

Swiss news outlet NZZ reports that on June 10, Nitschke wrote in an online forum that Sarco’s deployment in Switzerland was expected ‘in the next few weeks.’ 

Well-informed sources told the website that Exit Switzerland’s preparations are largely complete and the launch is scheduled for July. 

The candidate for euthanasia has been selected, the sources suggested, and has already travelled to Swtizerland.

It is unclear who the person is and Dr Nitschke and his team have neither confirmed nor denied the reports.

In an interview with MailOnline last year, Dr Nitschke explained how his invention works.

‘The person will climb into the machine, they will be asked three questions and they will answer verbally – ‘Who are you?’, ‘Where are you?’ and ‘Do you know what happens if you press the button?’

‘And if they answer those questions verbally, the software then switches the power on so that the button can then be pressed.

‘And if they press the button they will die very quickly.

‘When you climb into Sarco the oxygen level is 21 per cent but after you press the button it takes 30 seconds for the oxygen to drop to less than one per cent.’

The doctor’s plans to use Sarco for the first time have caused uproar from certain ‘pro-life’ organisations, including CARE.

James Mildred, director of engagement at CARE, said: ‘Philip Nitschke’s device has been condemned by a broad range of commentators. 

‘Many people feel that it trivialises, and even glamourises, suicide. 

‘We believe that suicide is a tragedy that good societies seek to prevent in every circumstance. There are ethical ways to help human beings that don’t involve the destruction of life.’

The project has come up against a number of obstacles in the past, with it unclear if Swiss authorities could prosecute over the use of the machine.

Sarco’s creators said in 2021 that it had passed legal review in Switzerland, where assisted suicide is legal and hundreds of people use the services of organisations such as Dignitas and Exit (a separate group to Dr Nitschke’s) every year.

But Kerstin Noëlle Vokinger, a Professor of Law and Medicine at the University of Zurich, has said that Sarco may need to be certified under the country’s Medical Devices Act, which it is not.

As its manufacturer, Dr Nitschke could therefore be taking a risk by using Sarco if he were to be reported and a court came to the same conclusions as Vokinger, NZZ reports. A legal report previously stated it is not and does not break any laws.

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