The world’s oldest scientist has arrived in Switzerland in high spirits three days before he will end his life at an assisted suicide clinic.
British born botanist and ecologist David Goodall, 104, touched down in Basel on Monday after a flight from Bordeaux, France where he said goodbye to family.
Asked by a reporter if he planned to go through with his suicide, Goodall enthusiastically replied: ‘Oh yes, that’s what I’m here for!’
The world’s oldest scientist (pictured on Monday) has arrived in Switzerland in high spirits two days before ending his life
Speaking from his wheelchair and, Goodall, from Perth, said: ‘I am glad to arrive and I’ll be even more glad when further steps of my journey are completed. When I get to the hotel, for example, and when I meet the doctor.’
He added: ‘Once one passes the age of 50 or 60, one should be free to decide for oneself whether one wants to go on living or not.’
Lucid and humorous, Goodall reiterated his frustration about not being as free or as mobile in his later life as he once was.
While not suffering from a terminal illness, he said he hoped his trip to take his own life in Switzerland – which allows assisted suicide, unlike Australia – would change legislators’ minds one day.
‘I think we’ve got quite a way to go. I would like to see the system change, but I doubt it will happen within the next ten years,’ he said.
Dr Goodall celebrated his 104th birthday in early April and has since decided it is time to access voluntarily euthanasia in Switzerland
The 104-year-old got on a plane in Perth last Wednesday surrounded by friends and family saying their final goodbyes, including his grandson Matt (pictured)
Goodall is expected to meet Tuesday with a doctor who will assess his mindset and hold another news conference on Wednesday. On Thursday, he plans to swallow a lethal cocktail of chemicals.
After the weekend visit in France, he acknowledged he was ‘a bit sorry to say goodbye to my family in Bordeaux. But that’s the way it was.’
Switzerland is one of the world’s most permissive countries when it comes to assisted suicide.
Representatives of the Swiss ‘assisted voluntary death’ group Life Circle, which is helping Goodall, say only Switzerland and Colombia allow foreigners to travel into the country for an assisted suicide.
The eminent botanist and ecologist does not have a terminal illness, but is seeking voluntary euthanasia – which is illegal in Australia – on the grounds his quality of life has deteriorated.
Dr Goodall’s grandson, Matt Goodall (far left) on his grandfather’s 104th birthday, is pictured alongside his mother Karen and brother Graham
He attempted suicide about two months ago after suffering a fall, which put him in hospital.
Professor Goodall’s daughter could only get him out of the country after arranging an independent psychiatric review, Exit International founder doctor Philip Nitschke said.
‘I no longer find much joy in life. Up to, even up to, say, the age of 90 I was enjoying life. But not now,’ Professor Goodall told the ABC.
Dr David Goodall arrived at Perth airport to board a flight to Switzerland to end his life wearing a jumper that read ‘Ageing Disgracefully’
Goodall worked at Perth’s Edith Cowan University, and said he had become resentful about having to go abroad to die due to the absence of voluntary euthanasia laws in Australia.
There were a few tears but most of the friends and family who gathered to farewell the 104-year-old at Perth Airport on Wednesday said they had prepared themselves to say goodbye.
From his wheelchair, he hugged them all in turn, thanked them and wished them a wonderful life before he and his nurse boarded the plane.
Doctors who initially treated him had threatened to prevent him from leaving Australia but he ultimately left the country unhindered.
A crowdfunding effort from Exit International, a euthanasia advocacy group, raised almost $US20,000 to cover Goodall’s travel costs, including two business class tickets for him and his nurse.
The procedure will take place in Switzerland on May 10.
The Swiss clinic has helped 73 people to die over the past year.
Those who are seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Who is Australia’s oldest scientist David Goodall?
Dr Goodall was born in London in 1914, and is an eminent botanist and ecologist.
He came to Australia to in 1948, taking up a lecturing position at the University of Melbourne.
Goodall, an honorary research associate at Perth’s Edith Cowan University, made international headlines in 2016 when he was declared unfit to be on campus.
Dr Goodall celebrated his 104th birthday in early April and has since decided it is time to access voluntarily euthanasia in Switzerland.