A 64-year-old woman in Switzerland became the first person to voluntarily end her life in the ‘Sarco’ suicide capsule. Although assisted suicide is generally permitted in Switzerland, several people were arrested. The government said the device was not legally compliant.
‘Sarco’ has been highly controversial for years: its developers want to revolutionize euthanasia. With the device that comes from the 3D printer, users are not dependent on doctors or prescribed drugs. A person who wants to die can be activated from the inside with the push of a button, after which nitrogen is fed into the cabin. After a few breaths, the person inside is unconscious; death occurs after about five minutes due to lack of oxygen.
Woman from the US traveled specifically to Switzerland
The first person to use the Merishausen death capsule is believed to be an American woman. The 64-year-old had suffered from an immune deficiency and its health consequences for years. She traveled to Switzerland specifically to commit suicide. The machine worked as intended.
On Monday – the same day the machine was first used – Swiss Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider declared that the suicide capsule was not legally compliant. The device allegedly did not meet the requirements of the product safety legislation. The use of nitrogen is incompatible with the intended purpose of the Chemicals Act, she explained.
NGO chairman, lawyers and journalist arrested
The Public Prosecution Service learned from a law firm on Monday afternoon that assisted suicide had taken place in the suicide capsule took place in a forest hut in Merishausen, near the German border. Several arrests followed: According to the responsible public prosecutor from Schaffhausen, the co-chairman of the euthanasia organization “The Last Resort”, Florian Willet, two lawyers and a Dutch journalist were still behind bars on Wednesday. A criminal case was initiated “for incitement to and complicity in suicide”.
The euthanasia organization ‘The Last Resort’ wants to use the euthanasia capsule to make a ‘more beautiful death’ possible, as they explained themselves. They are also working on a solution for couples, so that you can end your life together with your loved one.
If you or someone around you is in an exceptional psychological situation or is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the telephone advice service on 142. Other crisis hotlines and emergency numbers can be found HERE.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
