A blink-and-die suicide machine is now legal in Switzerland: The what, why, how
A coffin-shaped biodegradable capsule named Sarco has been created by non-profit organisation Exit International. It allows users to kill themselves, and is now legal in Switzerland. The machine results in painless death of the occupant. The low level of oxygen inside the machine leads to the voluntary death of the person. The main thing: Sarco (shortened from Sarcophagus) can be controlled by blinking your eyes, touted to be effective in cases where the person's movement is restricted to only blinking.
Before you make all your assumptions about this invention, here are some details you need to know.
EUTHANASIA
Euthanasia, which is legal in Switzerland, is why Sarco is being designed. Euthanasia means ending someone’s life deliberately, usually to relieve suffering. Or, say, assisted suicide. It is usually performed on request by the person with a terminal illness or too much pain, after the legal formalities are taken care of. According to Independent UK, around 1,300 people have used the services of euthanasia organisations, Dignitas and Exit last year.
THE SARCO
The coffin-shaped Sarco can be operated from inside. It reduces the oxygen level inside the pod, leading to hypoxia and hypocapnia. Hypoxia is a condition in which the body cells are deprived of oxygen and are no longer able to perform bodily functions. Similarly, hypocapnia is the term used to define low levels of carbon dioxide in the body.
Sarco is short for sarcophagus (a stone coffin). This one is a biodegradable capsule. Sarco takes less than a minute for the process to complete and leads to a painless death. It has been developed by Dr Philip Nitschke, who is the director of the non-profit organisation Exit International.
THE REASON BEHIND THE INVENTION
The story of a British man Tony Nicklinson gave Nitschke the idea to develop something like this. Nicklinson’s case sparked a conversation on an Individual’s Right to Die across the world. Tony Nicklinson suffered from locked-in syndrome after a severe stroke in 2005. As a consequence, he lost his ability to speak and move. He often referred to his life as a ‘living nightmare’.
Nicklinson fought a long battle to allow his doctors to legally end his life. It was an unsuccessful court battle. Just after six days of losing the battle, Nicklinson died due to natural causes.
THE CRITICISM
Many have criticised the development of Sarco. The futuristic concept is believed to glamourise suicide. In 2018, the president of the Westerkerk church board told The Independent, “We will not and cannot support any suggestion of using such equipment. Westerkerk will never support people by offering equipment as promoted by Dr Nitschke and we seriously wonder whether this contributes to a thorough and careful discussion around this issue.”
Many Twitter users also criticised the invention.
It should be a gift to all the suicide bombers
— BIAFRA24RADIO (@BIAFRA24) December 7, 2021
hope this machine won’t be landed on the wrong hands , should be banned #Switzerland
— needleineyes (@needlesineyes) December 7, 2021
In other words suicides will be encouraged ?
— Anil Thomas (@advanitom) December 7, 2021
This is a horrible idea, even for terminally ill!
— Maya Manna (@Maya7Manna) December 7, 2021
The idea behind Sarco is to end someone’s suffering from a disease or pain. This process requires several legal formalities and is currently legal in Switzerland.
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS EUTHANASIA LEGAL?
Active euthanasia (when death is brought about by an external act, such as administering them a lethal injection) is legal in countries like The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Colombia, Canada, Spain, New Zealand and Portugal. Passive euthanasia (where death is brought about by an omission, such as stopping medical treatment or withholding medical treatment) is legal in countries like Switzerland, Germany, the US states of Oregon, Vermont, California, Montana, Colorado and Washington DC. Passive euthanasia was legalised in India in 2018.