Aussie academic, 104, chooses to end life

AUSTRALIA’S oldest scientist plans to fly to Switzerland this week to end his life through voluntary euthanasia.

Edith Cowan University honorary research associate David Goodall doesn’t have a terminal illness but at age 104, his quality of life has deteriorated. “I greatly regret having reached that age,” the ecologist said on his birthday earlier this month.

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

His daughter Karen Goodall-Smith said the choice was up to him.

Controversial euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke then told a WA parliamentary inquiry into end-of-life choices his organisation Exit International was assisting Professor Goodall to travel to Switzerland.

Prof Goodall has been a member of the organisation for almost 20 years and will fly out of Perth on Wednesday, accompanied by an Exit International nurse to an assisted suicide organisation in Basel.

Marshall Perron, who introduced the world’s first euthanasia legislation in the Northern Territory before stepping down as chief minister, said it was disgraceful Prof Goodall did not have the option of dying in his own home with loved ones by his side.

“A compassionate society would accommodate the wishes of a competent citizen who believed their life has run its course and was devoid of any joy,” Mr Perron said on Sunday. LIFELINE: 13 11 14.