EXCLUSIVE: Inventor dubbed ‘Dr Death’ says his controversial 3D-printed coffin-like ‘suicide pods’ will be used for the first time this YEAR – but pro-life groups warn the device ‘glorifies suicide’
>
It may look like something out of a Hollywood sci-fi movie, but this coffin-like capsule has a much more controversial purpose.
That’s because it was created as a way to perform assisted suicide – and could be used for the first time later this year.
The man behind the invention is Dr. Philip Nitschke, a controversial advocate of euthanasia nicknamed ‘Dr. Death” and has been called “the Elon Musk of physician-assisted suicide.”
In an exclusive conversation with MailOnline, he said, “We’re ready to use it… we’re talking to some people who want to use it first.”
While dr. Nitschke claims his device will give people the chance to end their lives in a “peaceful” way, pro-life groups have warned that the 3D-printed Sarco Pods “glorify suicide.”
An early version of the Sarco Pod, which can be operated internally and works by lowering the oxygen level. No one has used it yet. The final prototype is in the final stage of preparation
Australian euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke (pictured), also known as ‘Dr Death’, is a former doctor and head of the voluntary euthanasia campaign Exit International
The pods are priced between $4,000 (£3,100) and $8,000 (£6,200) and are in the final stages of preparation for use in Switzerland, revealed Dr. Nitschke.
Assisted suicide has been legal in the country since 1942.
“I’ve been in Switzerland for the past week to talk to our Swiss lawyers to make sure no further Swiss requirements are needed before use,” says Dr Nitschke, who has an office in Amsterdam but is from Zuid Australia, a state country. which introduced new assisted dying laws in January.
The pods — which were named Sarco for sarcophagus — are wearable devices that can be operated from the inside by users and work by lowering internal oxygen levels.
Dr. Nitschke said, “The person will climb into the machine, he will be asked three questions, and he will answer verbally, ‘Who are you?’, ‘Where are you?’ and “Do you know what happens when you press the button?”
‘And when they answer those questions verbally, the software turns on the power so that the button can then be pressed.
“And when they press the button, they die very quickly.
“When you climb into Sarco the oxygen level is 21 percent, but after you press the button it takes 30 seconds for the oxygen level to drop below one percent.”
The pods were developed by Exit International, a non-profit organization led by Dr. Nitschke who has advocated for the legalization of voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Currently, the devices can only be used in Switzerland.
They will provide an alternative to the country’s current method of physician-assisted suicide, said Dr Nitschke, which involves taking a pill – something the Australian says has its flaws.
“To take a pill you have to be able to swallow (some people can’t) and avoid any chance of vomiting, or not have an intestinal disorder that interferes with absorption,” he said.
To use the Sarco Pod, one must be a member of Exit International, which costs $100 ($78) to sign up. There are no other costs besides these costs, but according to Swiss law, anyone attempting to take their own life must have the mental capacity to do so.
Dr. Philip Nitschke’s prototype ‘Sarco’ euthanasia pod – short for sarcophagus – being transported here in Venice
“We will use the traditional method of having a Swiss psychiatrist basically talk to the person and assess their mental capabilities – and we will have that done before anyone can use the device,” Dr Nitschke added.
In addition to Sarco, the former doctor also revealed that he was working on a concept for life-ending implants for people with dementia – although a prototype does not yet exist.
Dr. Nitschke, who has sparked controversy for his outspoken views on assisted suicide, said someone going through the early stages of Alzheimer’s could theoretically choose to get the implant if they want to end their life before the condition becomes too serious.
Users would have to press a button on the implant regularly, perhaps once a day, Dr. Nitschke, to prevent a lethal dose of poison from being administered.
If the disease progressed to a point where the person was no longer able to press the button, the device would end his life.
“If we’re going to produce this device, I’ll have to try it myself,” Dr Nitschke told MailOnline, before adding that there should probably be some form of beeping to alert someone that it was about to die. are activated.
It’s not yet clear what specific chemical the device would use to administer death, as his team is “having a lot of trouble figuring out what to use.”
He went on to say that an alternative option for administering poison would be to insert an electrical device similar to a pacemaker.
‘Death with Dignity’: Dr. Philip Nitschke speaks in January 2003 in San Diego, California
However, before now the controversial euthanasia proponent is targeting Sarco, which he claims he will offer people “the option of a peaceful death, whether sick or not.”
“We understand that life is a precious gift, but what kind of gift is it if you can’t give it away?” said Dr. Nitschke.
“The precious gift of life should be something you can have when you think the time is right.”
Dr. Nitschke has been described by one media outlet as “the Elon Musk of physician-assisted suicide” – a description he has no problem with because it “isn’t exactly an insult.”
“Obviously I don’t have the resources behind me that Musk has — I wish I had,” he said.
“I like many aspects of Musk’s innovative approach to lateral use of technologies and I admire many of the things he does.”
However, the doctor’s plans to use Sarco for the first time have caused a stir among certain pro-life organizations, including CARE.
James Mildred, Director of Engagement with CARE, said: ‘Philip Nitschke’s device has been condemned by a wide range of commentators.
“Many people feel that it trivializes and even glorifies suicide.
“We believe that suicide is a tragedy that good societies try to prevent under all circumstances. There are ethical ways to help people that don’t involve the destruction of lives.”
Meanwhile Dr. Gordon Macdonald, CEO of the Care Not Killing Alliance: ‘The development of personal gas chambers marks a new low in the debate over whether or not to kill people through assisted suicide and euthanasia.
“What is equally risky is the claim that these people will deliver a quick, pain-free death, since that was exactly what was said about the use of death row drugs in the handful of places where assisted suicide or euthanasia have been introduced.”
- For help and support, call the Samaritans toll free from a UK phone, completely anonymously, on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.