Euthanasia Inauguration of the "Sarco" suicide capsule postponed due to test person

The inauguration of the "Sarco" suicide capsule, originally planned for mid-July in Switzerland, has finally been postponed. The reason for this is the deterioration in the mental state of the person who had been selected for the capsule.

"Given their situation, it is clear that this person should now receive mental health care rather than assisted suicide," explained Australian Philip Nitschke, the developer of the controversial machine, in a statement on Sunday.

This person, a US-American woman in her fifties, was supposed to inaugurate the "Sarco" capsule on July 17. Philip Nitschke is now busy pre-selecting the next candidate "who hopes to use the device", according to the euthanasia organization "The Last Resort".

In mid-July, a media report stated that a person in Valais would soon die with the help of the suicide capsule. However, the Valais cantonal doctor then ordered a precautionary ban on its use.

Established euthanasia organizations such as Exit and Dignitas work together with doctors. "Sarco" is intended to allow those who wish to die to end their lives at the touch of a button.

The machine can be taken to any place to die. The person who wants to die climbs into the 3D cabin and lies down. The lid is then closed.

The person who wants to die presses a button and nitrogen flows into the cabin. This displaces the oxygen. After a few breaths, the person becomes unconscious, as the promoters of "Sarco" (from sarcophagus) explained. Death occurs after about five minutes. The occupant dies from lack of oxygen.

SDA