Is it true that Switzerland approved the use of cameras for euthanasia?

In December 2021, the media reported that the capsules printed on a 3D printer for voluntary departure were legal examination in Switzerland. We checked the reliability of such publications.

On December 6, 2021, many major Russian media shared the news with their readers. For example, "news" Reportedthat “in Switzerland, a capsule, intended for voluntary euthanasia, took place in a legal examination. The device looks like a coffin. The capsule is called sarco, it is created on a 3D printer. A person, being inside, starts the procedure of euthanasia. After that, the device is filled with nitrogen, reducing the concentration of oxygen in the air from 21% to 1%. A person inside feels disoriented. He can also feel light euphoria, after losing consciousness. The process takes about 30 seconds. As a result, a person dies due to hypoxia and hypokapnia, while he does not experience panic or suffocation. ”

On the same day, similar materials released Lenta.ru, "Gazeta.ru", "Snob", "Companion" And other publications, many in their publications reported precisely about the approval of the development of the Swiss authorities. In the following days, the news spread Popular Publics on VKontakte and users Facebook. December 9, a large text on this topic was released at "Komsomolskaya Pravda" (with the subtitle “Switzerland authorities legalized the use of a capsule for voluntary euthanasia”), and the 12th "Izvestia".

In Switzerland, help in voluntary suicide Decriminalized When fulfilling certain conditions. Who wants to commit suicide should be capable and consciously make such a decision, and help Must rown without selfish motives. By data The Swiss Federal Statistics Department, in 2018, 1176 people took this opportunity. The vast majority of them (more than 80%) are older people with incurable diseases, many are foreigners who are specifically They come In Switzerland to undergo the process of euthanasia.

Russian media in publications about unusual development refer to a note, Outdoor On the portal Swissinfo. This site publishes news about Switzerland in ten languages ​​and Enters to the Swiss broadcasting corporation. In the original article by Swissinfo, an interview was presented with Philip Beske, the founder of the non -profit organization Exit International, which was registered in Australia, which engaged issues of euthanasia. In the Russian -speaking version text was entitled "The SARCO suicide capsule has passed a legal examination in Switzerland." Apparently, a similar conclusion was made on the basis of a statement by one: “Last year we applied for advice on the legality of the use of SARCO in Switzerland to provide assistance in suicide. A legal examination was conducted, the result of which showed that we did not miss anything. There are no legal problems. We are very satisfied. ”

The news of unusual innovation has become popular not only in Russia, but also abroad. Quite quickly the journalists of the Swiss edition paid attention to it Watson, as well as our colleagues-factory: already on December 9, the analysis was released on Associated Press, four days later - on Snopes And Reuters.

Associated Press turned for a commentary to Swissmedic - a department that answers For the regulation of pharmaceutical and other medications in Switzerland. The agency stated that it did not issue permits for the use of SARCO. Moreover, one reported Our colleagues, that his organization never achieved such a permit - they applied for advice to the former teacher of law at one of the German universities, who said that the device developed by one did not require licensing or receiving other permits.

YURG Wiler, Vice President of Exit, who has nothing to do with Exit International and providing euthanasia in Switzerland, in his letter Associated Press doubted In the fidelity of such an assessment, he expressed doubt about her non -angigious. In a conversation with Snopes Wiler declaredthat “never in contact with one” about the possible use of his invention.

Snopes also contacted Dignitas - another large Swiss organization that helps people voluntarily die. By opinion Its representative, Swissinfo, "allowed to use himself for some" PR campaign "." In the response, Dignitas emphasizes that in Switzerland over the past decades, a certain practice of help has developed for those who have chosen “professional support of suicide”. “In the light of this established, safe and professionally carried out procedure, we cannot imagine that a technological capsule for voluntary departure will meet great recognition and/or interest in Switzerland,” concludes the representative of Dignitas. About the lack of interest in capsules They said and representatives of other organizations working in this area.

Judging by the comments in the media, Swiss lawyers did not come to a single position regarding the legality of the technology proposed by one. Daniel Hurlimann from the University of St. reported BBC, which, in his opinion, does not apply to SARCO capsule Swiss legislation at all. In turn, Kerstin Noel Fokinger from the University of Zurich He thinks Otherwise: “Medical devices are regulated because they should be safer than other products. Only from the fact that this product is not good for health, it should not be that it should not meet additional safety requirements. ” It should be noted that these are only comments on the press for the press, and not officially conducted by order of the state departments of the examination.

Already on December 8, two days after the publication, Swissinfo Brought Changes to your original article. Title Corrected The “creators of the Capsules for Euthanasia of Sarco are aimed at Switzerland”, and the text itself was preceded by the note: “In the original version of this article, it was mistakenly stated that the SARCO capsule" took legal certification in Switzerland. " But, as the verification of the facts conducted by the AP agency showed, this information is false. We are deeply apologized for these misleading the heading and information. The material was fixed after the investigation conducted on December 8, 2021 by the Watson.ch portal: Philip Nitske’s statements that he is negotiating with several relevant structures in Switzerland on the launch of the SARCO capsule next year were not confirmed. None of the main Swiss suicide assistance organizations, such as Dignitas, Exit Deutsche SchWeiz or Ex International, did not declare, according to the Watson.ch portal, that she was considering this technology (as possible for use in the future). " Unfortunately, the vast majority of the Russian media, which spread erroneous information, did not supplement their publications with such disclaimers and did not release refutations (and some even published their texts about “approval by the Swiss authorities” after the recognition of the error by Swissinfo).

Photo on the cover: Exit International

Most of the untruth

What do our verdicts mean?

Read on the topic:

1. AP News. No, Switzerland Has Not Approved a ‘Suicide Capsule’
2. Snopes. HAS Switzerland Approved 3D-Printed Pods for Assisted Suicide?
3. Reuters. Fact Check-3D Capsule for Assisted Suicide Hasn’t Approved by Swiss Medical Board
4. Is it true that there are American slides developed for suicide?