Australia, Jun 01: Australia's leading euthanasia advocate has unveiled a new "do-it-yourself" suicide machine, attracting protests from pro-life campaigners. Philip Nitschke has earned himself the title of Doctor Death from Australia's media for his support for euthanasia. Now he has unveiled a controversial new machine designed to allow people to commit suicide painlessly. Assisting in a suicide is illegal in Australia but Nitschke says his carbon dioxide generator will is so simple no help is needed. Dr Philip Nitschke, pro-euthanasia campaigner says "They can end their own lives themselves, that is legal. Suicide is not a crime." The device has infuriated anti-euthanasia campaigners and brought demonstrators onto the streets.


The group of mainly young people say Nitschke is marketing suicide as an easier and more pleasant option to vulnerable people.


Doctor Joseph Suttie, Anti-euthanasia campaigner said "It's a machine which attempts to provide an accessory to the act of those people wanting to take their own lives."


But the demonstrators didn't have it all their own way. A pro-euthanasia group called EXIT Australia heckled the hecklers, saying people should have the option of ending their lives with dignity.


Bureau Report