Could "death with dignity" mean dying in a 3D-printed suicide pod?
In case you're not familiar, the "death with dignity" movement seeks to change laws to allow people to end their own lives if they're suffering from a debilitating terminal illness. Currently, 10 U.S. states and numerous countries around the world allow patients to end their own lives under certain circumstances.
The technology to carry out this end-of-life option may soon include a so-called "suicide pod," developed by Australian euthanasia advocate Dr. Philip Nitschke.
After extensive testing and legal consultations, he says the pods may soon be ready for use, starting in Switzerland.
While Dr. Nitschke insists that the pods push the death with dignity movement forward, some people of faith say that this movement does nothing more than glamorize the sin of suicide.
When your time comes, would you hop in the pod?
3D-Printed Death Pod
Dr. Nitschke calls his device the "Sarco Pod" (named for its similarity to the Egyptian sarcophagus).
He says that the pods are designed in such a way that the terminally ill users are fully lucid, understand what they are doing, and have full control over how and when they end things.
“The person will climb into the machine, they will be asked three questions and they will answer verbally – 'Who are you?', 'Where are you?' and 'Do you know what happens if you press the button?'” he says. Once the button is pressed, oxygen levels in the pod rapidly drop.
Shortly thereafter, the user is dead. Nitschke assures potential users that there is “no panic, no choking feeling," and the 3D-printed nature of the pods makes them surprisingly portable: meaning “the machine can be towed anywhere for the death.”
A Humane Option?
For Dr. Nitschke, such an efficient device has been a long time coming.
Suicide pills have existed for a long time, but many terminally ill patients have difficulty swallowing or have stomach conditions which might interfere with absorption. This, he argues, is more efficient and better for patients.
There are other safeguards in place; to avoid any sort of misuse or abuse by bad actors, the entire process is filmed, and the footage given to the coroner.
"We're ready to use it,” says Dr. Nitschke, whom many have dubbed "Dr. Death" for his prominent advocacy for death with dignity.
Despite his myriad precautions, as you might imagine, not everyone is a fan.
Religious Opposition to Voluntary Death
Euthanasia remains a deeply controversial subject in religious circles.
Physician-assisted suicide remains illegal in much of the U.S. and the world – in part due to intense opposition from organized religion.
Catholics, Protestants, Mormons… basically every branch of Christianity strongly opposes physician-assisted suicide.
The general argument these religious groups make is that life is a sacred gift from God, and to end it "unnaturally" is an affront to His creation. It is not for a medical doctor or even the person themselves to decide when they die; only God can do that.
Such beliefs run deep.
When terminally ill 29-year-old Brittany Maynard ended her life via euthanasia in 2014, a top Vatican official called the act “reprehensible” and said the act “should be condemned.”
In 2020, the Catholic Church reiterated its stance that assisted suicide is “an intrinsically evil act, in every situation or circumstance,” going so far as to call it “an act of homicide that no end can justify and that does not tolerate any form of complicity or active or passive collaboration.”
As Pastor John Piper of Bethlehem College & Seminary puts it, “our bodies — their life, their death — belong to Christ. He bought them. They are not ours to dispose of as we will. They are his. And they exist for his will, and his glory.”
What Does the Public Think?
Physician-assisted suicide is a topic bound to divide, but a 2013 Pew poll showed that some two-thirds of Americans believe that there are some circumstances in which doctors should assist the deaths of the terminally ill.
Even amongst death with dignity advocates, however, the Sarco Pods are controversial. Some view it as cold, dystopian, and lacking an important human element. Because the Sarco Pods are printable with a 3D printer, others worry about the potential for unauthorized use of such technology.
Ultimately, if approved, it would be those who are terminally ill and suffering from chronic pain who would have the choice of whether to use the technology.
What do you think? Should death come as easily as the push of a button?
66 comments
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Colleen McAllister
First, I don't believe suicide is a sin. It is a final act of someone who is in great pain, either physical or mental. Second, I believe that anyone in that much pain has the right to decide to end it. I also believe that everyone deserves to spend those final moments connected to at least one human who loves them. That human touch can make those final moments bearable. This suicide pod removes all humanity from the act. It lowers it down to the press of a button. We are not machines and a machine should not be our last contact in this life.
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Jameson Graeg
For some, arguably many, this may be true. However, there are a significant number of us for whom it is not, particularly when pain is a factor. Personally, I would much prefer to be alone. I know this because when I am sick or in pain, I want to be alone and am repulsed by personal contact.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Then you come up with ideas to make it into whatever YOU seem to think it should be. Add Zoom conferencing capability. Ports to allow hands to be held. Trumpets blowing when you hav3 determined all systems are go.
But a ’Press of a button’ seems perfect to me. If you need more, go do it.
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Joy
I would agree. Missing out on the human touch in your final moment would help you and also help those family and friends of the person who may want to hold hands, or embrace the person as the pass on. I have held two of my dogs in my arms as they passed on. I have never had the opportunity to do so with a human. But it was an incredible experience for me.
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Troels Qvist
Suicide is a sin because the church (or whatever/whomever) says so, give me a break .. You never lived a day in life of people considering such measures . I would definetly kill myself as opposed to be captured by ISIS or something similar, I Hope someone would be by my side if I were unable to do it myself e.g. Completly paralysed. We euthanize animals all the time for humane reasons. If humans are not entitled to humane treatment, I admit I am confused
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Lionheart
I’m all in favour of death with dignity whether it’s an affront to religion, or believers in fairies, or even Harry Potter. There comes a time in ones life when it gets to the point when it’s obvious ones life is almost at its end. That decision on how to end this life should be up to each individual.
🦁❤️
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Rev. Mike Eggleston
If a person who is terminally ill and in pain does not want to opt for euthanasia or assisted suiicide for religious or any other reason, they are free not to. They have no right to deny others that option though.
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Matthew Mastrogiovanni
Your body, your choice.
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Brien
If it is your belief that death with dignity is a "sin", then you can make that choice for yourself. You don't have the right to make that choice for others. Not everyone believes in the fiction of organized religions. Now, I think the capsule is a perversion of this choice. The human factor is a very necessary part of this decision. The capsule removes this factor and makes this decision very cold and calculated. There should be human contact. There should be friends and or family. There should at least be a doctor at bedside. This is NEVER an easy decision to make, and it should not be turned over to a machine. It should also never be turned over to religion.
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Rev. Mike Eggleston
Human contact or not should also be at the option of the person about to die.
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Brien
I will agree on that point, but death is not something you order from a menu. There needs to be a council with your doctor first. When my animal children had to be euthanized, I didn't just drop them at a vet and leave. I held them until they passed. I would do no less for a human being. If you don't want to have people around you, maybe you need to ask yourself why? Maybe you should reconsider. These things don't happen with a machine. I can't help but think of an old movie, Soilent Green, not sure of the spelling but the movie was pretty morbid concerning the right to die. I sure don't wish to see suicide machine businesses pop up everywhere. Anyway, I agree that the choice is with the individual, I just want to see balance in that choice. Peace ✌️
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Minister Raymond Butterworth
Brien,
Very well said. Great reference with soilent green. It certainly does seem to fit. I personally don't agree with suicide for any reason but I also support each individuals right to make their own choice. I do agree that human contact should be made an option for sure.
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Mark Forrest Bidlake
This does not seem to me that this is 'turning it over to a machine". It is very much the personal and human decision to push the button and depart this earthly life. And I suppose that at the moment of our death it is us alone with God, with the loved ones who have previously passed there to welcome us home as we cross.
I would hope loved ones would be in the room along with the pastor and doctor. And does it make a difference to say goodbyes and I love you's before the individual closes the lid, versus being able to hold hands as the button is pushed? I'm not sure. But to say our good byes, then turn alone and reach out to God to take us home seems right to me, for the one who is moving on. It just may not feel as good to those of us who remain behind....and our grief is mostly about us rather than joy for the departed.
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Frank Gunther Bedene Jr
Personally I feel it is selfish for someone to tell someone else what to do. This is a personal decision. Culturaly many have been told that taking your own life is wrong while in some cultures it is looked upon with respect. Who is right? Only the person with the condition knows what is right for them. None of us have the right to stop someone from doing what they want to do in this case.
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Heather Nicole Murphy
I have been in the medical field for the last 15 years, several of which, I have served patients and their families in the hospice world. Something that was an overwhelmingly recurring theme, was the emotional, physical and financial implications the living family would be burdened with.
I am by no means, saying that finances outweigh a human life. What I have seen is that the terminal patient cannot find any peace because they are worried that loved ones watching their decline, is suffering. That loved ones are missing out on time with their families to provide care or are physically in charge of their daily care. They are consumed with the bills they are leaving behind for their loved ones. They struggle with their body failing and knowing they have a long decline ahead of them. I got to have many meaningful conversations with these patients and their families, from many social classes, cultures and religions. Wishing for a means to an end was a common consensus, question what they have done to deserve their current condition, etc. Very seldom did I meet with anyone saying they were at peace, that it was Gods plan.
All of this being said, I feel like everyone would have their own reasons to agree or disagree with assisted death and the ways to get there. I only believe, that as people not being in someone else's situation, we can be compassionate and respectful of their intentions when it comes to terminal illness.-
Annette Harwood Lake
Well said.
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Merlin
Its unnatural not to have a choice.
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Annette Harwood Lake
Most people will have a pet put down when they see they are at the end of life suffering, loss of bowels, not eating, withering away in pain. Humans should also have the right to end suffering in a controlled way. I believe there should be more than one doctor and one patient making the decision, but that’s why we should all have a discussion about death and final wishes with our families ahead of time. It’s not taboo but a fact of life.
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Catherine
Why the drama over what won't matter relatively soon?
Why aren't the same organized religion representatives railing against artificial intelligence making life or death decisions for us instead?
Which is a worse sin? Personally choosing suicide on our own terms, given a clearly determined terminal medical condition? Or letting artificial intelligence decide?
https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/10/13/1060945/artificial-intelligence-life-death-decisions-hard-choices/
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Carol M. Anaski-Figurski
very interesting article on the sarco pod. Its a more humane why to die if you have cancer or terminal illness. Its a person choice.You have the right to die. You have the right to refuse hospice. Can it be used in prisons for executions more humanely. Tis the ? God is always with you.
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Rev Mark D
Now what exactly is the experience of the person when the nitrogen is being brought up and the oxygen going down? What exactly do they experience and what do they not experience?
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ServantOfJudgement
My father was born in 1921 and his father in 1885 who died when Dad was 13. Like many his family lost everything and became homeless during the great depression and suffered from starvation. In WW2 he first served as an airplane mechanic to support England for their air force then in France for the US Army Air Corps as the war progressed. He saw many horrors in aircraft that returned from combat both the English and ours. Again during the Korean war he served in the Air Force shortly after marrying my mother, a woman of greatness. They had 8 children, one dying during birth and with me being their last born in 1969. Dad made a cedar box for his baby they lost and buried her on their property where he built the home we lived in. I think Dad was an atheist, I can't be sure. He advised me once with very wise words which I remembered then found king Solomon said something similar when I started reading the bible after dad passed. He could have been a believer, I just don't know. Shortly after 2000 his doctor over prescribed medication that resulted in a serious decline in health and robbed him of his golden years but not his spirit. None of us are money folk and Mom sure wasn't so no lawsuit was pursued. He remained keen of mind until the end. His doctor limited Dad's wine intake to one glass a day, which dad interpreted to mean a 32oz tumbler. Making wine and gardening was his visible passion. We moved he and Mom into a sister's home where a studio home was prepared for them to live in private yet a place we all could visit and help, which we did. One day dad had to use both hands to lift the fork to eat. Then the time came where my father was too weak to bring the fork to his own mouth. He told Mom that this is the end. If he could not feed himself he would no longer eat. His spirit was strong as many from that time were. A week later Mom called me, Dad was passing quickly. I was supporting some automated machinery for a factory down in Tennessee. I was contracted to support 11 days in plant, 3 days home with my wife and kids. It was a good company and they supported my need to go so I did. I drove straight through the night as fast as I could and picked up my wife. We went together to hospice where Dad was. He was unconscious. We were there for about ten minutes, I just stared at him. I put my hand through his hair and felt his head. It felt like mine. I said "goodbye dad" and we went home to our kids. My nephew went to see him 30 minutes after I left and Dad had already passed. He was 91. I have a similar story of my mother but do not have the tears to tell.
When we discuss suicide of our loved ones and our fellow Man, immovable guard rails must be installed to prevent whimsical regulations and the eventual encouragement accompanied with state sponsored suicide. Being impoverished as my father and mother once were is a reason for suicide in some countries. Such simplistic excuses are to be avoided completely.
Take care all, be the very best you can be.
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TheMinisterLady
I'm sorry for your loss. That was a beautiful story. Rest his soul.
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Catherine
No matter what is happening, life is precious.
Sometimes opportunity can be created.
Doctors can't know everything... all we know now is what we think we know, yes? Trust must exist to a certain extent. When medical advice becomes questionable, then what?
As much as I support individual choice, I am also reminded how convincing an oncologist was about 17 years ago, saying I had maybe a year left.
If asked, I would suggest think deeply for awhile before resigning to a death sentence. Not in the way of manufacturing false hopes. More objectively, and clinically as possible. Try not to personalize or own a condition, as in "my cancer" which is so often said.
Though opportunity took a long time to be recognized, mine was learning how to establish an appropriate diet for conditions present then and adjusting to that. Within a relatively short time, symptoms began subsiding. After about 2ish years, most symptoms were gone. Yet, for years I believed those doctors who reiterated, "don't get your hopes up".
I say get your hopes up with objective and reasonable caution. If possible, talk with someone you know to be a good sounding board. it's hard to think clearly when very ill and possibly not at all in some cases. If assisted suicide feels like the only option, choose what you feel is best for you.
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ServantOfJudgement
They're doing this in Canada already. They've dropped the bar as to who qualifies quite a bit. "Mature teens" are in included in the race to the bottom nowadays.
It's mighty easy to kill yourself in the land of smoke, mirrors and maple leaves.
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Robert Gagnon
I consider death preferable to castration and mutilation to avoid suicide then end up doing it anyway. This may be a dysphoria treatment system. I am am surprised the religious portion of our readers who are always so eager to be with their angels and all would prevent someone in pain from making the trip on their own time, the way they want.
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ServantOfJudgement
Robert,
There's a tragic story out of Canada where a native American man underwent surgery to mimic the genitals of a woman and now seeks suicide but the Canadian government says he's not mentally stable for suicide. I'm not sure if you're eluding to that story or not. Here's one version of the story.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/transgender-individual-seeks-euthanasia-in-canada-after-painful-surgery/ar-AA1eGQam
I'm not sure what the Canadian government is up to with his suicide denial. If the country is allowing teenagers to kill themselves why deny a grown man? The only reasons I can think would infuriate the members on this site so I'll keep my thoughts to myself. It's a very strange situation this poor soul is in though, for sure.
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Kenneth Lafe Eric Sanderson
Once again - ruled by exception.
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Angelic Realms
Pretty soon they'll be offering incentives to family to get rid of people. This world is so sinister and depressing. The 1% hate us all. You can manage pain. This is about killing as many of the population as they can. Bio terrorists like Bill Gates. Sickening.
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Pink Clover
Not arguing your points except this one "You can mange pain." Maybe tell that to my husband who died of a brain tumor that caused all his organs to shut down. The only way to manage the pain associated with his dying was to make him so medicated he didn't have a clue. That is NOT managing pain. At all.
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Catherine
I've wondered how many different ways humans might facilitate suicide for someone they will benefit from. Government included. That said, if suicide isn't the tool of choice in such a circumstance, someone who wants someone dead will find a way. Assisted suicide would only be another tool in their tool box.
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Timothy Paul. Forrester
I understand how a person with an Illness that is turmable and no cure for it: how they suffer so much pain, they just want to end life sooner: with the sickness I have there are time's I wish I could die, but God has a reason why I'm still here: so no I believe that only God has the right to end our lives not us.
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Geoffrey C. Olive
So your god has a reason to kill thousands of Moroccans in an earthquake and even more Libyans by a flood! Is that the actions of a loving xtian god? If you think that then you and your view of love is deranged!
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Angelic Realms
Maybe they were engaged in human trafficking. Libya has daily slave markets.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Bullchips. Of course if YOU don’t want to do I don’t think anybody should strap you in. But there are millions of people that don’t give a diddley squat how YOU think your Mr. Mister Magic should be involved.
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Nicholas J Page
As someone with mental health issues and who has tried several times to end my life it's not worth it let nature take its course.I have seen my dear mother terminally ill before she passed.Trust me it's not nice to see the one you love suffer the way Dad and I did.You are so helpless.
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Rev Mark D
I mean, is it like sleep, is it comfortable, are there any aspects that are uncomfortable, what?
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Rev. Alyssa Cutler, Spiritual Healer
In response to your question: as per the article, "Nitschke assures potential users that there is “no panic, no choking feeling," So I'd hope that there is no pain or uncomfortableness associated with using the pod, however, that raises a fantastic question ... are the patients in pain during the process? Would the gas sedate them so they go peacefully? As an asthmatic, I'd be afraid that having the oxygen levels drop the way that is being described, would be of concern for someone who is predisposed to asthma, COPD, or any other illness that makes it difficult to breathe. Certainly there would be a lot to consider & one wouldn't be able to make this decision lightly.
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Annette Harwood Lake
I’m pretty sure they would just really sleepy and not wake up.
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Douglas Robert Spindler
We know God’s already dead in the United States. And we don’t seem to have a problem with over 100,000 people who die every year from drug overdoses. That’s 30,000 more than dies in automobile accidents. Drug overdoes is easier, cheaper and faster.
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Mountainsage
And pretty soon, the way things are going, our government will decide if you are worth letting live, or your medical condition is salvageable, or you don’t have enough ‘social credits’ to be deemed valuable to society, or a million other reasons to enact population control. While suicide may appear reasonable to those in extreme pain, Care must be taken to protect ourselves from the aforementioned reasons to suicide.
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Lisa Miller
So many people on here... Is it a sin or isn't it a sin.
The ones who say it is a sin is because it takes the choice out of the Lord's hands. However, if anyone took the actual time to read the Bible (the real one not the ones rewritten for the 1900s and 2000s.) the real one in Hebrew. (Not the Jewish Bible.)
They would actually see that the Lord does not treat suicide with any sort of special punishment. Suicide is judged as just another sin. It isn't deemed murder as so many people like to say. It is just as bad as adultery, gambling, or drinking. Your loved one will not burn in some eternal hellfire for the rest of eternity.
So, no it isn't all that bad. What it does and why the church and other religious people try to scare people out of it is because it hurts them. The people left behind after the death. So, really it is more about their suffering than it is for the sanity and wellbeing of the person.
Knock yourselves out trying to find a verse in the Bible that says a person will go to hell if they commit suicide. I'll wait. I'm a biblical scholar and a minister. So, I've seen and heard it all. I know 100% you will not find something about it unless:
- You make it up.
- You misinterpert it.
- You just want to gripe and groan about something.
I know. Self murder. That's how you're going to tell me suicide is a mortal sin. But it's those crazy Catholics (I used to be one of you. Lighten up.) that believe that mortal sins sever the link to God and therefore keep you out of heaven. This is false. And you can't murder yourself. Murder is murder and it's the killing of another. Did Jesus go to hell? Did Samson? Why not? Samson pushed down the pillars and killed himself. Jesus let himself be killed. You mean you don't believe they are in hell right now?
Good. Then you should know neither is the person who killed themselves. And if you have actual faith in the Lord Almighty you would realize that the Lord already knows how you are going to die and when. You're not surprising this all knowing being by showing up one day and going... "Hey, what's good?" If you believe you can take the will out of God's hands and in to your own you are very full of yourself and pride is also a sin. (Which is the same size sin as suicide.)
So, no. You are not going to hell for killing yourself. But you will go to hell for killing someone who asks you to kill them. That is actual murder.
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Carrie Ann Lewis
I will start off by saying that I am an advocate for death with dignity. I have been in healthcare for many years, and I have seen the patient, family, and other close loved ones suffer because of the illness that is becoming them. There is always two sides of the story so I will say this. While I understand that suicide is a sin, I also understand that dying peacefully without a long suffering process, and causing distress on everyone around the patient may also be seen as a sacrifice. It is a way to let go and allow everyone around the patient to morn and make peace. We must also remember that we have a right to healthcare, and for someone that has no quality of life, it makes sense to allow some people the right to die. Another way of looking at it is if you needed a blood transfusion, and refused it, would you also consider this suicide because the blood transfusion may have kept the person alive? I am not trying to push buttons, but I respect others choices to do as they see fit.
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Scott Thornweaver
You don't need a shiny 3D printed pod to die this way - you just need a tank of nitrogen and a mask.
This pod is not designed to give comfort to the dying, it is meant to protect the living. The video recording is a legal protection for doctors and loved ones, and being alone inside a pod takes away any doubt that another person caused the death.
This pod exists because so many people want to make life or death choices for others; people who want to dictate that someone can't end their suffering but will suffer no consequences themselves from preventing that choice. People who want to take away someone's free will just so they can selfishly brag to others about how they did "a good deed" or "God's will" by "saving a life". People who show no compassion for the suffering of the terminally ill or their loved ones.
Preventing the suicide of someone who is afflicted by despair or mental illness is noble, for that person has hope of recovery. Preventing someone from shortening a long slow painful and unavoidable death is selfish virtue signaling.
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Peggy Jane Williams Thomas
My views are drastically different in my later years of experience with the subject of dying & death. I accept on just a knowing that my soul has been around for eons and will continue. God is all that is and thus we are co-creators as sons & daughters of God. It is mankind that condemns, not God - by what ever name/human 3D word you use. God does not condemn but it is us that condemns and thus it is we who are to forgive. With human longevity, which will increase in length immensely as our consciousness ascends, there ought to be a sane option. When I reach say 125 years, that's about 50 years from now, I may make this choice but then I will be choosing to come back to our ascended golden age earth. Peace be with you.
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Mary sanford
I believe that if some one is I'll and is in pain surfing with a illness of no cure and has ask God to for give them 9f any sins and ask God to let them have no more surfing them if they can make thire own mind up and feel they want this then that be thire wish then family members may believe it the right thing to do and we are all gods people and let thire wish be in god name amen ❤️
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Rev. Mike Eggleston
If someone is suffering from an incurale illness and wishes to die, they should be allowed to end their lives, with assistance if necessary. We can leave gods (including yours) out of it.
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Daniel Gray
Anyone remember Michigans Dr Death? Seems that same idea didnt work out so well for him now did it?
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John R Liming
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away -- that includes Life ..The Bible tells us that God says that He wounds and He heals, He kills and He makes alive. For a human being to take their own lives is to disrespect God and is, therefore, a sin. Also, the so-called "Death With Dignity" notions sets the stage for future authoritarian governments to decide who lives and who dies. I am therefore against suicide of any kind, assisted or not.
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Geoffrey C. Olive
When you’re lying in terminal pain will you still think your god loves you and is more concerned about a “sin” than your suffering? If you believe everything in a 2000 year old book of full of nonsense, then you will be the one that suffers, not your god!
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Josie Jodie Ranae Renwah
I feel like there are plenty of ways to commit suicide. I think this device is likely to be misused and some point. I’m sure Hitler’s people would have found them very convenient. Hospice is a form of suicide. Not sure if this is only practiced in the USA but it provides the patient a pain free passing in their time and they can change their mind or go slowly if they choose. No need for new contraptions.
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Michael Anthony LaRocca
If I am termanilly ill and close to death, chances are I would like to be in Hospice Care. For me, that is the way I can die with dignity. I have been caregiver for family members and friends who have died with Hospice Care. There is no pain due to the drugs you are given, it is just a slower process leading to death. The pod reminds me of some kind of extra terristrial thing to zoom you to who knows where? Not for me. My reasons are not for any religious reason. I have just found that Hospice Care is the best way to die with dignity. Blessings to all... Michael.
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Christy Wilkinson
One thing I know, asphyxiation is a terrible and painful way to die. Gasping for breath alone in a pod is not at all humane. A fast firing squad would be better. If you have ever seen a fish asphyxiating out of water, then you know. Its bad. Dreadful.
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Beth
That's the thing about using nitrogen or other inert gas. It's enough to convince the body that they are getting air, so they don't gasp nor suffer. That's not all the same as using some poisonous gasses or having something blocking the airway such that the person (or animal) is struggling.
They are breathing, and the inert gas doesn't cause other symptoms. Oxygen levels in the body decrease, until consciousness ceases, and continues through death.
I'm saying this as someone who has had pneumonia with a very low pulse-ox. I was not uncomfortable, but quite confused by the hustle-bustle going on around me. This pod would be peaceful.
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Lisa Miller
There's another thing I want to add... The way that doctor is proposing the suicide. It's going to be super painful. You're going to go out screaming and not be able to make a sound.
Helium as the gas of choice would have been better. Your body doesn't realize the air it is breathing is not real air. It is because of that you won't suffer or have a lot of pain. You will just get loopy and then sleep.
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Scott Thornweaver
You need to check your science facts. 78% of every breath we take in our lives is Nitrogen, therefore the air you would breathe in the pod IS real air. If you were to make any sound in a pod filled with Helium it would sound unnaturally high-pitched, which would be very unnatural.
But this does raise a troubling question - if this is a reliable painless way to die, why don't we use it for the death penalty instead of cocktails of expensive drugs?
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Lisa Miller
I am talking about 100% helium. No air. So, you need to look up suicide and how to do it painlessly. Because speaking from a place of terminal cancer. I can assure you I've looked in to all of the options, and know exactly what it will do and how to do it to the point you feel nothing. It took a lot of research to come up with the exact method. But helium will do it.
Oh, and here... Since everyone needs science. Maybe the government can convince you how this is painless. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9412544/
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Michael Siebielec
Because the state is so incredibly stupid they can't seem to do anything right, especially as easy as ending a life without severe trauma. People kill themselves inadvertently with drug overdoses everyday, but the state can't administer a drug overdose in a controlled setting. A little conspiracy theory here, maybe they torture these death deserving criminals to prove a point that fits their Christofascist political beliefs.
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Alexander Arends
I see nothing wrong with committing or assisting in someone's suicide if they are terminally ill and feel they are not contributing to their family or society. It will sound selfish to some but if death is short at hand, it would be of benefit to spare someone from suffering but also benefit the family. It's kind of the same as pulling the plug on people kept alive by machine. When talking to a patient about that, they generally agree that the time has come.
If you believe that it should be God who decides when you should die, than you must also believe (like some people do) that you should not seek medications for healing.
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Kenneth William Friberg
Those of us who have a beloved pet dog,cat, etc. often consider them a legitimate member of their family, especially when we were unable to have human children of our own. How many people would allow their furry family members die a long and painful death after a life threatening illness or injury? Mercifully dying is a choice of course, unless that choice cannot be verbalized.
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Dennis Cullen
I can see why People Think this is a good thing for their loved ones in Pain but what will happen as it does in every single Idea that is made mainstream It gets abused by people that think it should be used for Depression, a break-up, Loss of Wealth or any tragedy that will come at them. God doesn't save you from the Lion's den every time. Sometimes You go into the Lion's den to be tried and tested. If we are allowed to opt out at the end we will use it when we shouldn't That is Human Nature.
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John Casillo
WE CAME INTO THIS WORLD WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE OR CHOICE,,,,,AND SO WE WILL LEAVE THIS WORLD HOPEFULLY WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF WHEN IT SHOULD END.....REV JOHN
I see many different views on this subject - which is to be expected.
Also as usual, I see many people thinking their views should be the single accepted view. That is sad.
I have my views on this - at least for now. Perhaps when the time comes I may feel differently - but shouldn't the options be open then too?
I feel it is a very individual choice, and all choices should be honored - even those I personally wouldn't do myself.
I agree to certain criteria, certain safeguards - counseling and yes, questions - somebody willing to listen and give advice - but ultimately, it's not your death. What gives you the right to decide for somebody else?
Modern healthcare is already overly humiliating. I believe death with dignity should be everybody's right.
Beautifully said & I couldn't agree more.
Was just writing similar and saw your post, Kenneth. So, yep. This would be one of the better applications of technology. Hopefully the cost won't create yet another dividing line between haves and have nots.
Bravo Zulu.