Australians set-up euthanasia backyard labs: media

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Hundreds of elderly Australians wanting to end their lives when they can no longer care for themselves are reportedly setting up backyard laboratories to manufacture an illegal euthanasia drug, local media reported.

The euthanasia group Exit Australia told Australian television that more than 100 people have imported the prohibited sedative Nembutal to Australia from Mexico, while 800 were interested in making the powerful sedative in home laboratories.

One group of about 20 people was already making the drug in a backyard laboratory in New South Wales state, reported Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) television.

The ABC's Lateline programme reported that four backyard laboratories were to be set-up soon in the cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Wollongong.

"It's not illegal to end your life. Why is it illegal to have the drug that will do it?," Bron Norman, who says she is part of a group already making the drug, told Lateline on Monday.

"It's outrageous that we've been forced into this position because we can't legally obtain a drug that will give us a peaceful death when we want one," Norman said.

Helping someone to commit suicide is illegal in Australia but there has been a long-simmering debate about euthanasia.

Nembutal is used by veterinarians to sedate or euthanize animals. Illegal possession of the prohibited drug carries a maximum penalty of two years' jail.

Norman said a secret Nembutal laboratory had been set-up by a group of about 20 ageing people in New South Wales state, with her and others donating A$2,000 (US$1,652) each to launch it.