this post was submitted on 30 Dec 2023
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'Suicide pod' is completely legal and approved for use in Switzerland (www.unilad.com)
submitted 10 months ago by haxor@derp.foo to c/hackernews@derp.foo
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[–] Riccosuave@lemmy.world -1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

On the one hand I think this is a humane option that people should have during palliative care.

However, I am also reasonably confident this will be used to facilitate capital punishment as well. I have mixed feelings about the use of the death penalty, but generally this does seem like a preferable solution to the other available methods so maybe that too is a small mercy in of itself.

[–] Vash63@lemmy.world 20 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Why would you tie this to capital punishment? That isn't even legal in any of western Europe.

[–] Riccosuave@lemmy.world 5 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

Well for one thing because this (see link) was already a national news story earlier this month. So, it isn't exactly that far of a leap in logic for these suicide booths to be replicated for use in capital punishment in places where it is still utilized, like the United States.

One could even argue that it makes the process less morally objectionable, and therefore might make it harder to justify banning the practice. I am simply playing devil's advocate here because this is precisely the kind of logic that is already pervasive in US politics when justifying otherwise morally objectionable decisions.

[–] Skates@feddit.nl 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

After looking over the article you linked, it seems like inhaling nitrogen could be dangerous because:

  • a doctor said it could induce nausea and choking on your own vomit. When asked for sources, he countered that there was not enough research on the topic.
  • a priest said so
  • the gas might escape the tubes, therefore those around the gas might be at risk - valid point, to which I would suggest everyone leaving the room and/or wearing oxygen masks

??

The process of capital punishment is already morally objectionable enough. The original article isn't about that, it's about assisted suicide. And tbh, I think the US needs to figure out first how to not kill people who don't wanna die, and only then tackle assisted suicide. Let your politicians prove they care about rehabilitation and preserving life. Until then, you're asking the wolves to make laws (and choices) for the sheep.