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Controversial suicide machine dubbed the “Tesla of euthanasia” banned in Switzerland

Prosecutors in Switzerland have banned the use of a ‘suicide machine’, just weeks before it was set to be used for the first time.

Last month, according to reports, the ‘suicide machine’, also known as a “Sarco” pod, was prevented from being used for the first time by prosecutors in Switzerland who were concerned, not only about the legality of its use in the country, but also potential ethical issues surrounding its implementation.

The so-called “Tesla of euthanasia“, was created by Dr Philip Nitschke, an Australian euthanasia advocate and former physician who has been nicknamed “Dr Death” and “the Elon Musk of assisted suicide” by the media. He designed the Sarco to enable individuals to end their lives at the press of a button. 

Describing the actual manner of death, Nitschke said “The capsule is sitting on a piece of equipment that will flood the interior with nitrogen, rapidly reducing the oxygen level to 1 per cent from 21 per cent in about 30 seconds. The person will feel a little disoriented and may feel slightly euphoric before they lose consciousness. Death takes place through hypoxia and hypocapnia, oxygen and carbon dioxide deprivation, respectively”.

Why was the ‘suicide machine’ banned?

The introduction of the Sarco pod in Switzerland has been met with significant opposition. Public Prosecutor, Peter Sticher, has highlighted several critical concerns regarding the device’s legality and the mechanics of its operation. In a letter obtained by the Swiss media, Sticher said “There is no reliable information about the method of killing. It is completely unclear who has control over which mechanical process during the dying process”.

The legal argument revolves around section 115 of the local penal code, addressing assisted suicide and potential charges for selfishly inducing or aiding it. Prosecutors argue that determining responsibility for euthanasia with the Sarco pod is impossible, prompting its ban. Sticher warned of “serious consequences” for Nitschke, emphasising the legal and ethical complexities surrounding the device.

James Mildred, Director of Engagement for Christian Action Research and Education (CARE), said “Philip Nitschke’s device has been condemned by a broad range of commentators. Many people feel that it trivialises, and even glamourises, suicide. We believe that suicide is a tragedy that good societies seek to prevent in every circumstance. There are ethical ways to help human beings that don’t involve the destruction of life”.

Dr Philip Nitschke

In 1996, Nitschke administered the world’s first legal, voluntary lethal injection under the short-lived Rights of the Terminally Ill Act in Australia’s Northern Territory. Nitschke faced legal challenges, including the suspension of his medical license in 2014, prompting him to burn his certificate in protest.

Nitschke advocates for euthanasia and assisted suicide as a right for “all rational adults“.

Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said “Nitschke’s suicide machine is not only a horrendous concept, but it is becoming increasingly clear how unrealistic the safeguards in place are for those who might attempt to use the device in future. This apparently fully automated process is a disaster in waiting. Instead of assisted suicide, we should focus on providing support and care for those in distress. Every life is precious and deserves protection”.

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Dear reader,

We are facing two major threats in the Lords - an extreme assisted suicide Bill and an abortion up to birth amendment.

THE GOOD NEWS - OUR STRATEGY IS WORKING

At Second Reading of the Leadbeater assisted suicide Bill in the House of Lords, a record number of Peers spoke, and of those who took a position, around two-thirds opposed the assisted suicide Bill. That is more than double the number who supported it.

Our side also secured a significant win, with the establishment of a dedicated Lords Select Committee to further scrutinise the Bill’s proposals – and Committee Stage has been delayed until it reports.

This momentum has been built by tens of thousands of people like you. Thanks to your hard work, Peers are receiving a very large number of emails and letters by post, making the case against the Bill. 

Thanks to your support, we have been able to mount a major campaign in Parliament, in the media and online – alongside your own efforts – to keep us on course for our goal: that this dangerous Bill never becomes law.

BUT MORE CHALLENGES LIE AHEAD

We cannot become complacent. Well-funded groups - Dignity in Dying, My Death My Decision and Humanists UK - have poured millions into pushing assisted suicide. They can see support is slipping and will fight hard to reverse that.

This is not the only fight we are facing in the House of Lords.

At the same time, the Antoniazzi abortion up to birth amendment, which passed in the House of Commons in June, is moving through the House of Lords as part of the Crime and Policing Bill.

Second Reading will take place in a matter of weeks. It will then go on to Committee and Report Stages, where we will be up against the UK’s largest abortion providers – BPAS and MSI Reproductive Choices (formerly Marie Stopes) – who are expected to lobby for even more extreme changes to our abortion laws.

If the Antoniazzi amendment becomes law, it would no longer be illegal for women to perform their own abortions for any reason – including sex-selective purposes – at any point up to and during birth.

Thousands of vulnerable lives - at the beginning and the end of life - depend on what happens next. We must do everything in our power to stop these radical proposals.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Our campaign against the Leadbeater Bill in the House of Lords is working, but the work we have already done has significantly stretched our limited resources.

We are now stepping up our efforts against the assisted suicide Bill while launching a major push to stop the abortion up to birth amendment in the Lords. 

To fight effectively on both fronts, we aim to raise £183,750 by midnight this Sunday (5 October 2025).

Every donation, large or small, will help protect lives, and UK taxpayers can add 25p to every £1 through Gift Aid at no extra cost.

Will you donate now to help protect vulnerable lives from these two major threats?

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