The inventor of a machine that assists individuals in committing suicide in Switzerland announced he is set to begin testing it in early 2022. Philippe Nitschke told the Washington Post that the "Sarco" machine, which resembles a coffin, will not violate any laws in Switzerland, one of the few countries that offers the option of assisted suicide. Nitschke claims his device allows individuals to end their lives "without pain and within minutes," according to the American newspaper. He adds, "With the press of a button, the chamber fills with nitrogen gas, which quickly reduces oxygen levels, causing the user to lose consciousness within a minute," and states that "the user will not choke or feel fear or pain, but will lose their life due to oxygen deprivation after fainting." The inventor describes his device as "sleek and sophisticated," stating it can be transported to the desired location of the user. Nitschke plans to publish 3D printing instructions for the device online. However, since he introduced his invention four years ago, he has faced numerous criticisms ranging from astonishment to anger, with some criticizing the machine's design as being the larger issue.
Daniel Sulmasy, director of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at George Washington University, believes the striking appearance of the machine, which resembles luxury cars, encourages "the glorification of suicide." Sulmasy warns the Washington Post that sharing the 3D printing instructions online could promote a phenomenon known as "suicide contagion," where the spread of a specific method of suicide could lead more people to take their lives in that way. Even individuals who support "euthanasia" have criticized the machine, including Stephen Duckworth, a disability rights activist, who stated in an opinion piece published by The Independent this week that he is "horrified" by the Sarco machine. He insists that "safety should be at the forefront of efforts that may allow for the best option to end life," emphasizing that using the machine raises numerous concerns. He adds, "What if the machine is in the hands of someone who is mentally ill? Or a child? Or used to harm others? And what if the outcome is not a quick or peaceful death, will the user end up in the chamber without a means to call for help?"
At the same time, Nitschke insists that the machine is safe, dismissing the possibility of surprises during the tests that will take place at a specialized Swiss lab for assisted suicide, with six individuals expected to participate in the experiment. He confirmed that his nonprofit organization, Exit International, will provide instructions to people over the age of 50 who have been deemed mentally sound or suffer from terminal illnesses. Both "euthanasia" and "assisted suicide" are legal practices in a few countries; in the United States, the option of choosing death is available in ten states and the District of Columbia for individuals with terminal diseases leading to their death. In Colombia, where euthanasia has been decriminalized since 1997, officials refused in October to subject a woman to the procedure after her severe diabetes condition improved. Meanwhile, other countries, such as Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium, allow assisted suicide for individuals experiencing physical or psychological pain. Swiss law states that any person can assist another in suicide, provided the act is free "from any selfish motives," meaning that assistance cannot be for malevolent purposes or profit. Furthermore, it requires that individuals undergoing this process be mentally sound, as determined by mental health specialists, and these individuals must take the first step to end their own life. If you or someone you know needs help, you can consult this list for numbers according to the country you live in.
