The controversial suicide capsule Sarco is unlikely to increase death tourism to Switzerland. Experts believe that potential changes in laws in neighboring countries will have a greater impact. Now, Exit is also speaking out.
The death of people is a topic that moves many. The suicide capsule Sarco, known as the “Tesla of euthanasia,” was supposed to allow the first patient to have a “dignified death” this summer. However, this did not happen. The premiere scheduled for mid-July was canceled, and the American Jessica Campbell (†55), who had already arrived in Switzerland, instead opted for recognized euthanasia in Switzerland.
This week, NZZ quoted from a letter from Campbell, in which the woman from the US state of Alabama made serious allegations against Exit International – the operator of the suicide capsule. She reported “financial exploitation,” “media stress,” and “heartless people.”
Until now, the recognized euthanasia organization Exit had not commented on Sarco. Now, Exit spokesperson Danièle Bersier has expressed her opinion to the SDA news agency. She currently believes it is unlikely that The Last Resort – the operator of the suicide capsule – will provide euthanasia with Sarco more than occasionally in Switzerland in the future. Furthermore, an increasing number of EU countries are legalizing euthanasia. And the more countries legalize euthanasia, the less death tourism takes place.
Ethicists’ opinions
The general legal situation in Switzerland is clarified compared to many other countries, and there are established organizations with the necessary experience in implementation, as noted by Jürg Streuli from the Dialog Ethik Foundation.
Countries like Germany, France, and Italy still have either stricter or missing regulations that often still practically prevent suicide assistance for individuals. The gradual liberalization of euthanasia in neighboring countries may lead to a decrease in death tourism to Switzerland.
Ethicist Markus Zimmermann believes that the capsule will not affect suicide tourism to Switzerland. In addition to liberal laws in many countries around the world, the suicide capsule and the existing information are more likely to deter rather than attract individuals.