“Suicide Machine” — Switzerland has authorized its use. | by Dark Energy Articles | Feb, 2022 | Medium
peter.suber's bookmarks 2022-04-01
Summary:
"Switzerland has approved Sarco, a special capsule for assisted suicide. Regulators have allowed its use by people with terminal illnesses. The device is expected to be available in 2022....
The organization wants to use artificial intelligence (AI) to assess the mental state of people who decide to die by assisted suicide. Therefore, the entire procedure will begin with the completion of an online test to prove that the decision was made consciously and voluntarily. Only later will those interested receive a special access code to Sarco.
The 3D printed capsule allows patients to lie comfortably inside. It is activated by pressing a single button, which causes the inside of the capsule to fill with nitrogen. At the same time, oxygen is reduced. Those inside the Sacro lose consciousness and then die from hypoxia within 30 seconds.
As the creators of the capsule assure, there is no need to inject or consume controlled substances when using it. The feeling of panic or choking is also eliminated...."
PS: Interesting (1) for making assisted suicide easier and (2) using AI to assess competence. It's easy imagine a legislature approving assisted suicide without approving these two steps.