France Has Approved A Bill That Will Allow Assisted Dying For People With Terminal Illness And In Extreme Suffering
France becomes part of a growing list of countries in Europe to allow some form of assisted dying or euthanasia.
France has approved a bill that will allow assisted dying for people with terminal illness and in extreme suffering.
On Wednesday, July 15, France’s parliament voted to pass the law with 291 votes to 241.
Assisted dying allows a person to end their own life with medical support, and differs from euthanasia, where a doctor or nurse administers the medication directly.
Under the new law, French citizens or legal residents over 18 can request assisted dying if they are suffering from “a serious and incurable illness that is life-threatening and in an advanced or terminal phase,” according to Reuters.
A person seeking assisted dying must submit a request to a doctor, who has 15 days to review the case and make a decision.
Once approved, the person must confirm their decision after a minimum two-days reflection period.
They can then take the medication at the time and place of their choice.
A doctor or nurse will check in on the day to confirm the person still wishes to proceed.
Healthcare workers can opt out of carrying out assisted dying, but must refer patients to other professionals willing to help.
At least 84% of people in France support assisted dying, and supporters say the law gives people the right to a humane and peaceful death.
But the bill drew opposition from the Catholic Church, and France’s senate had rejected it three times, despite it being approved four times by the lower house.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who had long backed the bill, welcomed the decision.
"In 2022, I made a commitment to forge this path together with the French people. With seriousness, humility and full respect for our democracy, I have honoured that commitment,” he wrote on X.
The bill will now go to France’s Constitutional Council for examination before it can become law.
France becomes part of a growing list of countries in Europe to allow some form of assisted dying or euthanasia.
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Kassy Cho
Sissi Yi Hu
Sofia Hou
