Media reports ‘Tesla of euthanasia’ gets prohibited in Switzerland

(MENAFN) Switzerland has officially banned a new assisted suicide device, referred to as the “Tesla of euthanasia,” just before it was set to be used for the first time. The decision comes amid concerns about the lack of reliable information regarding the operational methods associated with the device, according to local media outlet Blick. The public prosecutor’s office in the Schaffhausen canton has warned the euthanasia organization behind the device, Exit Switzerland, that utilizing it could lead to “serious legal consequences,” including potential prison sentences of up to five years.

The device, named Sarco (short for sarcophagus), features a futuristic design that allows an individual to enter a coffin-like pod, lie down, and activate a button. Once initiated, the 3D-printed apparatus creates a rapid reduction in oxygen levels while maintaining low CO2 levels, purportedly facilitating “the conditions for a peaceful, even euphoric death,” as described by Exit Switzerland. The pod's design aims to evoke a sense of significance, likening the experience to traveling to a “new destination.”

Despite plans for its initial use this month, the device has faced criticism from various groups, including pro-life advocates, who argue that it “glamorizes” the concept of death. Prosecutors have emphasized the absence of reliable information concerning the mechanism of the device, stating that it remains “completely unclear who has control over which mechanical process during the dying process.”

Switzerland has long maintained a policy permitting assisted dying, which has led to accusations of “suicide tourism,” as individuals from other countries come to Switzerland seeking legal means to end their lives. Under current regulations, assisted suicide is available only to adults who are fully capable of judgment and can self-administer the lethal dose, targeting those who are terminally ill or suffering from severe debilitating conditions.

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