First ever person is about to die via suicide pod as operators are threatened with prison
Topics: Mental Health, News, World News
Gerrard Kaonga
Featured Image Credit: Exit International / Sarco
Topics: Mental Health, News, World News
Warning: This article contains references to suicide
A ‘suicide pod’ developed by a pro-euthanasia group to reduce the dependence on services of doctors and suicide assistance organizations could see it being used by its first person.
The pod’s inventor, Philip Nitschke - who has been called 'Dr Death' - founded the company Exit International and has continued to campaign to allow people to have the option to end their life.
Speaking of the company, he has previously said: "At Exit, we believe that it is the fundamental human right of every adult of sound mind, to be able to plan for the end of their life in a way that is reliable, peaceful & at a time of their choosing.”
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The 3D-printed capsule named Sarco would give someone who wishes to end their life an alternative to existing legal assisted dying methods - and has been dubbed the 'Tesla of euthanasia'.
On the company's website, underneath an image of the pod are the words ‘coming soon’ and, according to reports, the capsule deployment is expected in Switzerland in the coming weeks.
According to NZZ, a Swiss newspaper, Exit Switzerland's preparations are largely complete and a 'well-informed' source said that the launch is scheduled for July.
On June 10, Dr Nitschke revealed in a post shared on a online forum that a person was set to use it in Switzerland in 'the next few weeks'.
The person who is expected to use the machine for the first time is already believed to have traveled to Switzerland, the outlet also reports.
When asked about these assertions by NZZ, Nitschke's partner Fiona Stewart would neither confirm nor deny this information, according to the publication.
The Swiss newspaper Blick also reported that the operators allowing the pod to be used could result in criminal consequences.
According to a letter from Public Prosecutor Peter Stiche obtained by the publication, there could be 'serious consequences' for operators, adding: "There is no reliable information about the method of killing.
"[It is] completely unclear who has control over which mechanical process during the dying process."
According to Swiss law and Article 115 of the penal code, anyone who helps someone with 'the inducement and aiding and abetting suicide for selfish reasons' could face a prison sentence of up to five years.
One of the reasons that fall under this category is the the company receiving any possible financial gain.
For this reason, as well as many others, euthanasia organizations are run strictly as non-profit organizations.
UNILAD has contacted Exit International for comment.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline.