SYDNEY: The 104-year-old ecologist David Goodall – reckoned as the oldest scientist of Australia – is headed for Switzerland to end his life as he has suffered a deteriorating quality of life and his country does not support voluntary euthanasia!

 Goodall left Perth, Western Australia, on Wednesday after bidding farewell in a wheelchair to family members at the state capital’s airport, reports said. “I should be glad when I get on the plane – so far, so good,” Goodall was quoted as saying.

“I have some of my family here – there are three grandsons here, I believe and my daughter Karen … It’s very good that they shall be here to see me off.

“In Switzerland, I will also see one or two other members of my family, and so that will also be a goodbye.” The Edith Cowan University honorary research associate has been supporting voluntary euthanasia for many years and said “I’m sorry that I have to travel to Switzerland in order to execute it. I would prefer to be able to do it in this country.

“This country is my home and I’m sorry to have to go a long way in order to end my life.” Goodall also said he has “lived quite a good life” but experienced struggles in the past year that motivated his trip to Switzerland. “The last year has been less satisfactory for me because I couldn’t do things. I couldn’t travel, I couldn’t even use public transport.”