French Parliament Approves Euthanasia Law
The French parliament approved the assisted dying law on Wednesday, thereby settling a political, social, and religious debate that had persisted in France for years. The new law, for the first time, allows adult patients suffering from a serious, incurable illness that threatens their lives, and who are capable of freely expressing their will with full awareness, to end their lives or receive assisted dying. The law also stipulates that a physician must verify that the patient meets the required conditions before a medical committee conducts a collective assessment of the case, with the physician making the final decision alone. The law guarantees the patient the right to withdraw their request at any time, and specifies that the patient must administer the lethal substance themselves, unless they are physically unable to do so, in which case a doctor or nurse may administer it.
Legislators have set several key conditions for accessing this right, the most prominent being:
First condition: The person requesting assisted dying must be an adult, hold French citizenship or reside regularly in France, and possess full mental capacity. Their illness must be serious and incurable, and the request must be made knowingly.
Second condition: The physician receiving the request for assisted dying must consult with colleagues before making a decision, and must ensure that the patient has made their decision freely, without pressure from their surroundings, and that their medical condition is hopeless.
Third condition: If the physician approves the request, the patient is given a 48-hour period to change their mind or withdraw their request. If they do not retract their decision, the procedure is carried out according to a strict medical protocol, with family members present if the patient wishes.
Fourth condition: The procedure must be conducted under medical supervision and can take place in the patient’s home, hospital, or clinic, according to their preference. The patient has the right to choose who attends the procedure and may withdraw from it at any time, even moments before ingesting the lethal substance.
Fifth condition: After death, the medical file is submitted to a committee comprising doctors, nurses, and legal experts to review whether the procedures were properly followed. If there are doubts, the file is referred to the medical board and the public prosecutor’s office to open a judicial investigation.
