Dec 18, 2019 07:00:00

Who is Philip Nichke who developed the world's first euthanasia machine 'Sarco'?

Philip Nichke , a former Australian doctor, is known as an activist who promotes euthanasia, and has gained worldwide attention for developing the world's first euthanasia machine, Sarco . . Mark Smith , a freelance writer based in Amsterdam, summarizes Nichke's history and remarks when he met.

A design for death: meeting the bad boy of the euthanasia movement | 1843
https://www.1843magazine.com/people/a-design-for-death-meeting-the-bad-boy-of-the-euthanasia-movement

Mr. Smith met Mr. Nicheke in the corner of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Mr. Nicheke, 72, at the time of writing the article, was a stylish person wearing round glasses and fashionable denim pants. Mr. Nicheke, who has promoted euthanasia for many years, is also given the nickname 'Dr Death', but Mr. Smith said that Mr. Nicheke was a cheerful person who spoke well.

Nicheke was born in Australia in 1947 and initially obtained a PhD in physics from Flinders University, but later worked as an Aboriginal rights activist. However, soon Nitchike Mr. has been suffering for many years

hypochondriac Omoitachi in that it consists of thought to the doctor that want to cure, he began his career as a doctor and graduated from the School of Medicine of the University of Sydney in 1989.

by Sem Langendijk

In the meantime, in 1996 in the Northern Territory of Australia, the “

End-of-Life Patient Rights Act (ROTI) ” was enacted that legalized doctors to euthanize end-of-life patients with drugs. Nicheke recalls about that time: “We suddenly got a law that legally obtains the help of a doctor to kill a person affected by a late-stage illness.”

With the legalization of euthanasia, Nicheke decided to euthanize Robert Dent, a 66-year-old terminal cancer patient who had a strong will for euthanasia. Nicheke became the first doctor in the world to euthanize a patient in a legitimate state. However, from that time, Nichke has thought that “it is preferable that patients perform euthanasia at their own will instead of ending the patient's life by the hands of a doctor,” before denting Mr. Dent. , Developed a device that allows patients to perform euthanasia on their own.

The device that was developed was a combination of a laptop computer called Deliverance Machine and a barbituric acid injection. Mr. Nicheke claims that Deliverance Machine is 'a device that downgrades euthanasia to suicide assistance', and although Nicheke makes the injection needle into the vein, the final decision is made by the patient It is done. The patient who is stabbed by the needle operates the computer, answers some questions, clicks the button that approves the message `` If you press YES, lethal medicine flows after 15 seconds '', it is a system that greets death It seems. The Deliverance Machine doesn't require that much space, so after clicking the last button, the patient was able to embrace the family.

Nicheke used Deliverance Machine to euthanize four patients, including Dent, but the ROTI law was abolished nine months after enforcement and euthanasia became illegal. However, after that, Mr. Nicheke founded the NPO organization ``

Exit International '' aiming at legislation of euthanasia, and published a book called `` The Peaceful Pill Handbook '' that posted various ways to perform euthanasia, We continue to promote legalization of euthanasia.

Nicheke also attracted worldwide attention in 2017 with the launch of the Sarco euthanasia machine that can be manufactured with 3D printers. Sarco is named after 'sarcophagus' and is shaped like a smooth spacecraft pod. Those who want to join Sarco will be given a 4-digit authentication code for those who have been assessed for mental health and who have met certain conditions. The person who gets inside can press the button and the liquid nitrogen overflows inside the main body, the oxygen concentration decreases, and it is possible to euthanize without suffering in just a few minutes. Sarco is made of biodegradable material, so it seems that it can be buried or cremated with the person who was euthanized inside.

The development of Sarco is also collaborated with industrial designer Alexander Banning, based in Haarlem, the Netherlands, and Nichke admits that Sarco's stylish appearance also has aesthetic reasons. Mr. Nicheke hates elements such as plastic bags to breathe gas, and Sarco's appearance can appeal for a 'peaceful death' that looks good. “From a physiological point of view, Sarco ’s death is peaceful. Unlike a rope around his neck, a pillow against his face, and a water that pierces his head, it ’s not a terrible mechanical obstacle to breathing. ”Says Nicheke.

At the time of writing, no one was euthanized by Sarco, but in Switzerland where suicide support is not a crime, `` unless there is a malicious purpose, '' Nicheke worked with lawyers and local psychiatrists to help Sarco The company is aiming for practical application. When Mr. Smith asked Mr. Nicheke, “Sarco is a system that cannot be rehearsed in advance and will not become a nervous system for operation?” “There is so much anxiety and tension,” Mr. Nicheke Accepted. On top of that, there are a lot of people waiting for Sarco's euthanasia, and 'I think if many people are really pleased with the first successful operation of Sarco,' Nicheke commented.

Various criticisms have been sent to Nicheke's activities to promote euthanasia. Former United Nations medical director Michael Irvin, who once supported Mr. Nicheke, criticized Nichke ’s activities as “not irresponsible” in telling people how to obtain drugs for euthanasia. Paul Beegler, who works at the Bioethics Center at Monash University, said, “Between insisting that 'humans have the right to choose when and how to die' and actually providing the means to die. There is a big leap, ”he points out against the existence of the euthanasia machine.

Nicheke, on the other hand, is uncomfortable with doctors intervening in euthanasia and trying to stand up as a “gatekeeper” who watches the end of the person. Nichke points out that the new technology provides an opportunity to restructure the end of life as well as certain celebrations and major events of life. 'I don't want to be painful until the last breath, as my doctor roams around me connected to the tube, trying to move my heart long enough for just 5 minutes. It's a dystopia for me,' Nicheke said.