Assisted suicide has long been a controversial topic with many inventors trying to come up with the best way to carry out authorized euthanasia. As such, an inventor dubbed Dr. Death is having his suicide pod used for the first time.
3D-Printed Suicide Capsule
Dr. Philip Nitschke has been a long-time euthanasia advocate who has led the development of a 3D-printed coffin designed to kill people. The doctor gained the nickname "Dr. Death" and spoke about his invention.
Dr. Nitschke was even called the "Elon Musk of assisted suicide." In a recent report, he shared how the machine will be used this year. According to the doctor, they are already in talks with people who want to be the first to use the suicide capsule.
The doctor makes the claim that the suicide capsule is designed to allow people to end their lives peacefully. However, there has been a pushback from pro-life groups saying the 3D-printed suicide coffins "glamorize suicide."
The coffins are called Sarco Pods and are in the final stages of preparation for use in Switzerland, a country that legalized assisted suicide since 1942. The capsules will cost between $4,000 and $8,000.
Approval of the Pods
Dr. Nitschke says that he was in Switzerland talking to local lawyers about the legalities needed for the Sarco Pods. He said that he just wants to ensure that they don't need to get any further Swiss requirements.
The doctor has offices in Amsterdam but is originally from South Australia, coming from a state that only recently introduced new laws regarding assisted dying. The pods take a very simple approach where users on the inside can operate them and slowly initiate suicide.
The suicide coffin does this by first asking the participant three questions; and once they receive confirmation, the person inside will operate the machine to reduce the internal levels of oxygen. The person inside will be asked to identify themselves, say where they are, and confirm that they've properly understood what happens when they press the button.
Using the Machine
The moment people climb into the machine, they will be met with a 21% oxygen level; but once they press the button, it will only take 30 seconds to drop the level down to just 1%, initiating a quick death.
The development of the machine was headed by Dr. Nietchke through Exit International, a non-profit firm he leads. The firm has long been an advocate for voluntary euthanasia; and so far, the device will only be usable in Switzerland.
To use the suicide coffin, Dr. Nitschke said that the requirement would be a $79 fee to join Exit International and that the participant meets Swiss law regarding assisted suicide. The law requires that any person wanting to do this needs to be mentally capable of doing so.
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