Australia’s oldest scientist is flying to Switzerland to end his life

Australia’s oldest scientist plans to fly business class to Switzerland next week to end his life.

Dr David Goodall, a former university lecturer from Western Australia, doesn’t have a terminal illness but says he regrets having reached the age of 104 as his quality of life continues to deteriorate.

‘I greatly regret having reached that age,’ he told the ABC. 

‘I’m not happy. I want to die. It’s not sad particularly. What is sad is if one is prevented.

‘If one choose to kills oneself, then that should be fair enough. I don’t think anyone else should interfere.’

Australia’s oldest scientist , Dr David Goodall (pictured), wants to fly to Switzerland to end his life

Dr Goodall (pictured middle) does not have a terminal illness but greatly regrets having lived to 104

Dr Goodall (pictured middle) does not have a terminal illness but greatly regrets having lived to 104

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.   

Dr Goodall celebrated his 104th birthday in early April and has since decided it is time to access voluntarily euthanasia in Switzerland.

West Australia is still in the process of introducing voluntary euthanasia laws which would be restricted to people with a terminal illness. 

Premier Mark McGowan said the government would not assist Dr Goodall due to the fact he is not suffering from a terminal illness.

Dr Goodall was born in London in 1914, and is an eminent botanist and ecologist 

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.

He came to Australia to in 1948 taking up a lecturing position at the University of Melbourne.

‘My feeling is that an old person like myself should have full citizenship rights including the right of assisted suicide,’ Dr Goodall told Seven News.

Taking matters into his own hands, Dr Goodall sought the help of Exit International, who created a GoFundMe page to help upgrade Dr Goodall’s ticket from economy to business class.

Dr Goodall is expected to leave Perth in early May accompanied by his long-time friend and Exit’s West Australian Coordinator, Carol O’Neil.

Dr Goodall is expected to leave Perth in early May with long-time friend Carol O'Neil (left)

Dr Goodall is expected to leave Perth in early May with long-time friend Carol O’Neil (left)



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