This is the moment the world’s oldest scientist sings Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at a press conference the day before ending his life at a Swiss clinic.
David Goodall, 104, arrived in Basel on Monday after a business class flight from his home in Perth. The world-renowned botanist, will die at 10am local time on Thursday in a clinic at an undisclosed location, with four members of his family and a close friend by his side.
On Wednesday, surprised by the turnout, the centenarian told a crowded news conference that he’s ready to go – possibly by lethal injection, but that he’ll defer to the doctors on the method.
He quipped that if he were to choose any final music for the procedure, it might be Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony – then sang a few bars in German for the cameras. He ruled out a return to his beloved Australian countryside.
Making the most of it: David Goodall tours the Basel University Botanical Gardens with three of his grandchildren and two of their partners the day before his planned assisted suicide
‘At my age, and even at rather less than my age, one wants to be free to choose the death and when the death is the appropriate time,’ he said.
‘My abilities have been declining over the past year or two, and my eyesight for the past five or six years, and I no longer want to continue life. I am happy to have the chance tomorrow to end it.’
Earlier on Wednesday, Dr Goodall was seen touring the Basel University Botanical Gardens with his grandchildren.
Daniel Goodall, 30, told MailOnline: ‘I feel very privileged that I will be able to be there when my grandfather passes away.
‘He is so brave and I am so glad that he has been able to make his own choice. It is his wish that he can end his life, but such a shame that he was not allowed to do it in his own country.’
Mr Goodall said the visit to Bordeaux over the weekend was to allow the 104-year-old to rest after the long flight from Australia.
Documentary: Dr Goodall gets a hug from Taiwanese actress and television hostess Bowie Tsang during the filming of a documentary film about Goodall
Final day: The 104-year-old British-Australian is a world-renowned botanist and ecologist. He is pictured with family
Day out in the sun: Daniel Goodall pushes his grandfather’s wheelchair through the Basel University Botanical Gardens
Three other grandchildren who also live in France are, and the group have been joined by another grandchild, Duncan Goodall, who flew in from his home in New Haven, Connecticut.
Duncan, 36, said he would be by his grandfather’s side when he passes away from assisted suicide.
‘I think what he is doing is incredibly brave. My grandfather has approached this is a completely rational way and not let any emotion get in the way.
‘He wants to die and he wants to die on his own terms. The fact that he is doing this so publicly shows how brave he is.’.
Both grandsons told MailOnline they will find it hard to keep their emotions in check as the enter the room where Dr Goodall will be injected with the drug.
Duncan added; ‘It is going to be hard and I really don’t know how I will feel on the day.’
His choice: Dr Goodall travelled to Europe this week to end his life voluntarily at a Swiss assisted suicide clinic
Precious time: Dr Goodall speaks to his grandchildren and their partners about some of the plants displayed in the gardens
Dr Goodall chats with Taiwanese actress and television hostess Bowie Tsang, as they film a a documentary about him
Legacy: Dr Goodall and the film team recorded footage at Basel University Botanical Gardens
In his last public comments about his death Dr Goodall spoke at a press conference in Basel where he again emphasised his desire to end his life.
Asked if he had a moment’s hesitation he replied instantly:’ None whatsoever.’.
Dr Goodall said: ‘I no longer want to continue with my life and am happy to have the chance to end it.’
Dr Goodall, who until his retirement in 102 was the oldest working scientist, said he hoped his very public passge to dying would help change the law in Australia.
He was able to fly to Switzerland after Exit International raised more than £10,000 by a crowd funding appeal.
The cost of dying at the clinic run by Life Cycle is around £8,000.
Dr Goodall arrives to hold a news conference a day before he intends to take his own life in assisted suicide, in Basel
Final message: The scientist speaks during a press conference as his final day approaches
Dr Goodall was flanked by Philip Nitschke of pro-euthanasia Exit International and Moritz Gall, a lawyer for Life Circle/Eternal Spirit
David Goodall held a news conference a day before he intends to take his own life in an assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland
Famous last words: Dr Goodal is wheeled in to address the media one day before he is due to end his life in a Swiss clinic
Dr Goodall had become determined to die after his quality of life worsened with age as he lost the ability to walk.
‘My recent life has not been enjoyable,’ he told reporters after arriving in Switzerland.
Dr Goodall said he has been considering suicide for 20 years, and said a lack of mobility was one of the reasons he wanted to take his own life, despite not being sick.
He said he has tried to kill himself three times but was now seeking professional assistance at the Life Circle clinic.
He met with Swiss doctors on Tuesday, and if deemed to be of sound mind he will be administered a lethal cocktail of chemicals.
Switzerland’s assisted-suicide laws mean people are able to take their own lives, unlike in his home-country.
Dr Goodall celebrated his 104th birthday in early April and decided the time had come 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)
Amazing motto: Mr Goodall is pictured in a sweater with the words ‘Ageing Disgracefully’ on May 1
Dr Goodall was born in London in 1914, and is an eminent botanist and ecologist. Pictured, Dr Goodall in the 1950s
Dr Goodall believes people should be able to decide for themselves if they want to use medicine to die.
‘I wouldn’t suggest that it’s available to everyone, and just going and buying it off the shelf,’ he said.
‘I think there are plenty of people who might misuse that. But I would accept that it should be done by doctors’ prescription — but they should be free to prescribe.’
Dr Goodall was born in London in 1914, and completed his PhD in 1941, at the University of London, now Imperial College London, on the tomato plant.
Dr David Goodall is pictured after receiving his Order of Australia, which recognises Australian citizens and others for achievement or meritorious service, in 2016
Dr Goodall’s grandson, Matt Goodall (far left) on his grandfather’s 104th birthday, is pictured alongside his mother Karen and brother Graham
He came to Australia in 1948 taking up a lecturing position at the University of Melbourne.
There he gained another PhD from the University of Melbourne in 1953, before working as a university professor in the UK and the US.
Dr Goodall turned 104 in April, and has since decided to access voluntary euthanasia in Switzerland.
Dr Goodall came to Australia in 1948 taking up a lecturing position at the University of Melbourne