In the Swiss hamlet of Roderis near Basel, Pegasos operates as one of the most prominent clinics facilitating assisted dying, drawing clients from around the world, including significant numbers from the United Kingdom. Founded in 2019, the clinic has expanded rapidly and is estimated to carry out roughly 300 to 600 assisted deaths annually, a figure that varies depending on sources. Pegasos differs from other Swiss establishments by providing assisted death not only to terminally ill patients but also to people who are physically healthy yet experiencing long-term depression, grief, or the effects of advanced age.
Swiss law permits any adult of sound mind to request assistance in ending their life, a policy that contrasts with pending legislation in the UK, which would limit eligibility to terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less. The Swiss approach has faced criticism and raised ethical debates, particularly amid ongoing discussions in the UK Parliament about the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which recently reached a closely contested second reading. Some British individuals planning to end their lives in Switzerland are effectively circumventing their own country’s legal restrictions.
Pegasos operates from a chalet-style building completed in 2024, designed to provide a non-clinical, soothing environment resembling a high-end hotel more than a medical facility. Inside, familiar comforts such as sofas, a kitchenette, and even sweet treats create a setting intended to ease the emotional burden on clients and their families. The clinic accommodates personal farewells, sometimes involving large numbers of friends and relatives, and facilitates virtual goodbyes via Zoom. Music, alcohol, and cultural customs, such as opening a window after death, are integrated into the process.
The assisted deaths typically occur in the late morning, with the process overseen by a doctor or nurse. A lethal dose of sodium pentobarbital is prepared in an intravenous drip, with a mechanical clamp controlled by the client to ensure compliance with Swiss law mandating that the final act be performed voluntarily by the individual. Despite its relatively simple design, this method is regarded as quick and painless, leading to loss of consciousness within seconds and death shortly thereafter.
Ruedi Habegger, the clinic’s president, defends Pegasos against accusations of commercializing death, emphasizing its non-profit status and arguing that he personally bills for only a portion of his time while working additional hours unpaid. He critiques the broader healthcare system for prolonging life unnecessarily, often at high cost and against patient wishes. Habegger stresses the principle of self-determination, maintaining that it is not the role of relatives to prevent an individual’s decision to seek assisted death, though the clinic has implemented stricter procedures to ensure loved ones are informed when possible.
The clinic assists a diverse range of people, from those surrounded by supportive family to others struggling with the gravity of their choice. Some individuals reconsider at the last moment, highlighting the complexity of the decision-making process involved. While Pegasos continues its work amid these debates, its leadership hopes that wider legal reforms will one day render such services unnecessary. Meanwhile, the clinic remains a focal point in ongoing international conversations about the ethics, legality, and practicalities of assisted dying.