Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation after a woman died using a new ‘suicide capsule’ called Sarco. The device, designed to allow individuals to end their lives peacefully with nitrogen gas, has sparked debate over Switzerland’s assisted suicide laws. The incident also highlights the complexities of regulating such technology and the ethical concerns surrounding assisted suicide.
A portable suicide pod, dubbed Sarco, is expected to be used for the first time in Switzerland within months, offering individuals a means to end their lives without medical oversight. The device, developed by Exit International, utilizes nitrogen to induce death by hypoxia, and costs just $20 to use. While Switzerland generally allows assisted suicide, the capsule’s introduction has sparked legal and ethical debates, with some cantons expressing reservations. The Last Resort organization, promoting the Sarco’s use, insists there are no legal obstacles to its implementation.
