Sarco suicide pod: how the controversial capsule works

Recently a 64-year-old US woman committed suicide using a Sarco suicide pod at a woodland retreat in Switzerland. AFP reported that the device flashed a sinister message in her final moments: “If you want to die, press this button.” With its futuristic design, the Sarco pod works by filling with nitrogen, causing death through hypoxia. This self-powered, human-sized capsule has raised legal and ethical questions in Switzerland, where active euthanasia is illegal, yet assisted dying has been permitted for decades.

On the day the pod was used, Switzerland’s Interior Minister Elisabeth Baum-Schneider told lawmakers that Sarco was still “not legal”, sparking a new debate over its use.

Let’s look at what the Sarco suicide pod is, how it works, and its controversies.

What is a Sarco pod?

The Sarco Pod, short for Sarcophagus, is a controversial euthanasia device that has attracted significant attention due to its innovative design and intended use. This 3D-printed, detachable capsule is mounted on a stand and contains a canister of liquid nitrogen, allowing a person to end their life through inert gas asphyxiation. First introduced in Switzerland in 2019, the capsule provides people with a means to die without the need for medical supervision. It releases nitrogen gas inside and reduces oxygen levels to lethal levels.

The Sarco Pod is the brainchild of Philip Nitschke, an Australian physician known for his advocacy for assisted suicide since the 1990s. According to CNN, his work has played a significant role in ongoing discussions about the ethics and legality of euthanasia.

According to AFP, research and development of the 3D printable Sarco capsule cost more than 6,50,000 euros (roughly Rs. 6.06 crores) over 12 years in the Netherlands.

How does the Sarco pod work?

The Sarco Pod replaces the oxygen inside with nitrogen, resulting in death by hypoxia. To operate the Sarco Pod, the person who wishes to die must follow a few steps:

• In order to use Sarco a person must first undergo a psychological evaluation.
• Users climb inside the capsule, close the lid, and answer automated questions about their identity and understanding of the process.
• At the press of the button, the oxygen level in the capsule drops from 21% to 0.05% in less than 30 seconds.
• The person immediately becomes unconscious and dies within about five minutes.
• An emergency exit button is also located inside the pod, providing a potential exit route if needed.
• Once the hypoxia process is complete, the biodegradable capsule can be detached from the base of the machine, allowing it to serve as a coffin for the deceased person.

Nitschke’s Exit International, which owns Sarco, is a non-profit organisation funded by donations, with users paying just 18 Swiss francs (roughly Rs. 1,769) for nitrogen.

Its legality in Switzerland

Switzerland has permitted assisted suicide since the 1940s, with the provision stating that the person assisting must have no direct interest in the person’s death. This legal framework has established Switzerland as a notable “death tourism” destination, attracting individuals from around the world who want the right to end their lives on their own terms, reports Reuters. The use of the Sarco suicide pod has sparked a new debate over the ethics and legality of euthanasia, not only in Switzerland but around the world.