Talking about suicide is a delicate and, from some points of view, disturbing process, but that does not mean we should ignore it. From somewhat more media-driven perspectives (the series 13 Reasons Why) to the open debate on the legality of euthanasia around the world, it is evident that suicide has become a topic to address. But for Australian pro-euthanasia activist Philip Nitschke, that is not enough, and he has developed a capsule called Sarco that can end a person's life with the push of a button.
The Euthanasia Debate and the Deliverance Machine
The phrase "I want to kill myself" has slipped out on several occasions when facing a stressful or more complicated event, but as I write these lines, a person somewhere on the globe is seriously considering that possibility. How can we help that person? Do they even want our help? The first thing that comes to mind is someone suffering from a deep case of depression or who has not managed to overcome a traumatic situation; however, we must also consider people who are sick and without any possibility of a cure. That places us squarely in the territory of euthanasia. The legal situation of euthanasia around the world is very complicated, and this is especially true in Australia, which allowed it in 1995, only to declare it illegal two years later. In that period, doctor and pro-euthanasia activist Philip Nitschke assisted four people with his "Deliverance Machine", a lethal injection device, but now he has presented a much more sophisticated resource: the Sarco capsule.
How the Sarco Capsule Works
Developed by Nitschke in the Netherlands, Sarco can be 3D printed and assembled anywhere. To activate it, the user must answer a comprehensive online questionnaire, and immediately after having confirmed beyond any doubt their desire to commit suicide, they will receive a four-digit access code. Once inside, all the user needs to do is press a button. The system will begin filling the capsule with nitrogen, drastically reducing oxygen levels. In an average of five minutes, the user will be dead, without pain or trauma.
Additional Details and Legal Implications
There are two additional details we must mention about Sarco. The first is that the capsule can be used as a coffin, and its base is reusable. The second is that the design criteria for Sarco will be declared open source and published on the Internet, so that anyone can build and, why not, market capsules. In most European territory, passive euthanasia is allowed, but some countries have extended its legality to assisted suicide; therefore, the Sarco capsule could be used under a doctor's supervision. A controversial device that will surely fuel the complex debate on dignified death.
