Switzerland’s new tourism idea: Pay 1700 rupees to ‘use’ a 3D printed suicide chamber
Switzerland is on the brink of implementing a new approach to assisted dying with the introduction of Sarco, a 3D-printed portable suicide chamber. The development marks a major milestone in the country’s approach to end-of-life options, according to The Last Resort, an organization dedicated to assisted dying.
How Sarco Pod Works
The Sarco pod, designed to facilitate a controlled and painless end of life, was first announced in 2019 and has since sparked considerable controversy. The device works by filling its chamber with nitrogen, rapidly depleting oxygen levels. A button inside the pod triggers this process, leading to unconsciousness and death within about ten minutes, the Independent reports.
Assisted suicide in Switzerland
Switzerland has allowed assisted suicide since the 1940s, provided the person assisting does not seek personal gain. The policy has made Switzerland a prominent destination for people seeking assisted dying, sometimes referred to by critics as “death tourism,” according to Reuters.
First use details
Florian Willet, a spokesperson for The Last Resort, announced at a press conference that the Sarco pod will soon be used for the first time in Switzerland. However, the organization has not yet revealed specific details about when, where, or the identity of the first user of the Sarco pod.
Fiona Stewart, a lawyer on The Last Resort’s advisory board, stressed the importance of privacy around the event. “We really don’t want someone’s wish for a peaceful death in Switzerland to turn into a media stunt,” Stewart said. She confirmed that the initial use of the Sarco pod would take place this year, but reiterated that details would be kept secret until after the event.
Cost and controversy
The cost of using the Sarco pod would be minimal, with the only cost being 18 Swiss francs (about $20) for the nitrogen. Despite its innovative design, the Sarco has faced criticism and calls for a ban. Opponents cite Article 115 of the Swiss Penal Code, which criminalizes assisted suicide when motivated by selfish motives. It states, “Anyone who, for selfish motives, incites another person to commit suicide or assists them in committing suicide shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five years or by imprisonment provided that the suicide has been completed or attempted.”
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The sarco pod was created by Philip Nitschke, the 76-year-old founder of Exit International, sometimes referred to as “Doctor Death.” Nitschke has been criticized for allegedly trying to “glamorize” suicide through his inventions.
