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The Exit Internationalist

May 8, 2019

Sarco Unveiled @ Venice Design 2019

The world’s first 3D-printed euthanasia pod ‘The Sarco’ had its global unveil at Venice Design in May 2019.

After three years in development, the world’s first 3D-printed euthanasia machine is now on display at the Palazzo Michiel at Venice Design 2019.  Watch the short Film above.

The machine was conceived by Euthanasia activist, Dr Philip Nitschke and 3D-printed in Haarlem in the Netherlands. The aim of Sarco is to allow a rational adult the option of a reliable and peaceful elective death in an elegant and stylish environment.

Sarco arrival at Venice port

Sarco’s arrival at Venice Port

The Sarco uses liquid nitrogen to rapidly lower the oxygen level within the capsule (like the depressurization of a plane). On activation from inside the capsule, there is a rapid drop in oxygen level, followed by a peaceful death a few minutes later.

Venice Design opening

Venice Design Opening Night May 9, 2019

The Sarco capsule is detachable and can be used as a coffin for burial or cremation. The mechanism within the base is infinitely reusable.

Sarco on opening night

Discussing Sarco on Opening Night

The design brief behind Sarco was to create a beautiful means for a peaceful and dignified death: to dispel the ‘yuk’ factor of dying badly, in pain and in indignity.

Sarco was ‘created with forward movement lines to signify travel’. The in-built safeguards ensure that ‘only those who want to get in, will get in’.

Philip Nitschke at Palazzo Michiel

Philip Nitschke with his dog Henny Penny at Palazzo Michiel, Venice

Speaking of the design process, Philip Nitschke says the allure of Sarco is ‘breath-taking’. Its ‘portability ensures that one’s passing from this world to the next can be a moment of beauty while surrounded by beauty’.

Venice Desing Palazzo Michiel

Venice Design 2019 at Palazzo Michiel, Grand Canal, Venice

A second Sarco is near completion in the Netherlands. Exit expects that this Sarco will be utilised by a seriously ill person at Exit’s new assisted dying clinic in Switzerland in 2021.

Sarco at Venice Design

Sarco at Palazzo Michiel, 11 May 2019

Read more in the Peaceful Pill eHandbook

Sarco Film is at: https://vimeo.com/333502917
Sarco Flyer is at: https://exitinternational.net/docs/VeniceFlyerSarco.pdf
Venice Design is at: https://venice-design.com
Sarco website is at: www.Sarco.Design