*TRIGGER WARNING* Contains sensitive subject material discussing death and suicide.
Is Black Mirror becoming a reality? For those unfamiliar with the popular Netflix series, picture this: a dystopian reality in which morals and values are twisted to accommodate the deepest darkest depths and desires of the human mind… Sound familiar? “We are made of star stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself” sounds like the perfect quote for a dystopian reality, but unfortunately this reality is already upon us. This quote was labeled in the first ever suicide capsule created by Swiss doctor, Dr. Philip Nitschke, also known as Doctor Death.
In the past few weeks, Switzerland officials have detained several individuals regarding a 64-year-old American woman passing away in a 3-D printed suicide capsule… Yes, you heard me right! She passed away in a 3-D printed suicide capsule designed by Nitschke’s company, The Last Resort, who aimed to de-medicalize assisted suicide by making the pod available for at home procedure, for up to $20. The incubator-looking capsule is called the Sarco (Sarcophagus). It causes hypoxia by replacing the oxygen inside with nitrogen which puts the individual into a disoriented and euphoric state before their eternal slumber. According to The Last Resort’s official statement, the capsule is fully legal due to Switzerland’s assisted suicide laws; however, recent events and headlines seem to suggest otherwise.
Numerous prosecutors believe that this capsule was not properly evaluated by medical professionals prior to use, leading to the detainment of individuals involved on account of “incitement and aiding and abetting suicide”. Only time will tell whether this death was legal according to Swiss laws, but what we do know is that an American citizen was aided in committing suicide by a foreign power.
