France ends the debate and moves forward with legislation for a euthanasia law

 

Euthanasia is linked to a set of conditions 

France ends the debate and moves forward with legislation for a euthanasia law

The ink has barely dried on the Citizens' Pact report in favor of openness to euthanasia and assisted suicide in France. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he wants a new euthanasia law by the end of summer 2023. This step represents a victory for some families who had to travel to Belgium or Switzerland to implement it, as well as for the associations supporting this decision.

At the initiative of the President of the Republic, 184 citizens were invited in early December to express their opinions on the possible development of the Claise-Lisnette law on the end of life. This law, passed in France in 2016 but not widely implemented, allows medical care providers to administer deep sedation to patients whose condition is hopeless or near death and whose suffering is unbearable, while withholding water, food, and medication until the patient's death is complete.

Three months later, on Sunday, April 2, 2023, the Citizens' Pact on the End of Life announced the majority position on legalizing euthanasia or assisted suicide. 146 proposals were submitted. Based on this, the President intends to build what he called the "French model for the end of life," as he announced during a speech to the citizens participating in the pact. Macron also wants a "ten-year national plan for pain management and palliative care." However, he closed the door to any assistance in dying for minors.

This view was echoed by several organizations, including the "Right to Die with Dignity" association, which has been campaigning for more than 20 years to achieve this right within France. "I am pleased to see that more than 76% of participants support euthanasia. What surprised us even more was Macron's swift speech about working on a regulatory bill, which is unprecedented." The association's general delegate, Philippe Lohic, confirms.

Many association members want the law to be inspired by the Belgian model, which allows access to active euthanasia performed by a physician. This is in contrast to Switzerland, where only assisted suicide is permitted. This means that the person must be fully conscious before taking their own life. In France, passive euthanasia is permitted, meaning the refusal or cessation of treatment necessary to sustain life.

In contrast, Jean-Marcel Morgue, vice president of the Council of the Order of Physicians, called for setting certain limits on this right to die. He told Sky News Arabia, "We are against any measure to actively assist in dying for people incapable of expressing their will or for minors, invoking the 'conscience clause,' which allows a doctor to refuse to perform a medical procedure that would conflict with their convictions, or those "provided for by law."

Morges insists that the issue of "assisted dying" is "very sensitive" and cannot be unanimous. However, he says, "there is consensus on two points: the specific 'conscience clause' and providing the means for the effective application of the Claes-Leonetti law, i.e., continued anesthesia in terminal illness."

 If the law is changed to legalize active assistance in dying—euthanasia and/or assisted suicide—the union intends to emphasize that it would be undesirable for a doctor to participate in a procedure that would lead to euthanasia. The doctor cannot intentionally cause death by administering a lethal product.

Philippe believes the results of this agreement are consistent with the opinion of French society. In terms of numbers, he points to opinion polls indicating that more than 80% of French people support assisted dying. 

They support euthanasia, and they believe it is necessary to move forward with this law, especially after they have become clearer and confirmed that the law does not affect people with autism, disabilities, or depression, as was previously rumored, because these are not incurable diseases and do not cause the suffering we intend.