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| French lawmakers vote on terminal sedation, not euthanasia | French lawmakers vote on terminal sedation, not euthanasia |
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| PARIS — France’s lower house of parliament has approved a bill that could let doctors keep terminally ill patients sedated until death comes but stops short of legalizing euthanasia or assisted suicide. | PARIS — France’s lower house of parliament has approved a bill that could let doctors keep terminally ill patients sedated until death comes but stops short of legalizing euthanasia or assisted suicide. |
| After years of tense debate over the issue and a long journey through Parliament, the bill is now facing a final vote at the Senate Wednesday evening. The text is the result of a consensus of Socialist and conservative lawmakers. | |
| If adopted, it would allow patients to request “deep, continuous sedation altering consciousness until death” but only when their condition is likely to lead to a quick death. Doctors would be allowed to stop life-sustaining treatments, including artificial hydration and nutrition. Sedation and painkillers would be allowed “even if they may shorten the person’s life.” | If adopted, it would allow patients to request “deep, continuous sedation altering consciousness until death” but only when their condition is likely to lead to a quick death. Doctors would be allowed to stop life-sustaining treatments, including artificial hydration and nutrition. Sedation and painkillers would be allowed “even if they may shorten the person’s life.” |
| The bill would also apply to patients who are unable to express their will, following a process that includes consultation with family members. | The bill would also apply to patients who are unable to express their will, following a process that includes consultation with family members. |
| The methods can involve medicating patients until they die naturally of their illness or until they starve. Some doctors, however, say it may be more human to euthanize. | The methods can involve medicating patients until they die naturally of their illness or until they starve. Some doctors, however, say it may be more human to euthanize. |
| “Everyone must be able to decide how to live the very last moments,” Socialist lawmaker Alain Claeys, co-author of the bill, said in a speech at the National Assembly. “Our text has one purpose: fighting a ‘bad dying’ that still happens too often in France.” | “Everyone must be able to decide how to live the very last moments,” Socialist lawmaker Alain Claeys, co-author of the bill, said in a speech at the National Assembly. “Our text has one purpose: fighting a ‘bad dying’ that still happens too often in France.” |
| The other co-author of the bill, conservative party lawmaker Jean Leonetti, said the text aimed to tell the French: “At end of your life, if the suffering is unbearable, you’ll be allowed to get to sleep, soothed and serene.” | The other co-author of the bill, conservative party lawmaker Jean Leonetti, said the text aimed to tell the French: “At end of your life, if the suffering is unbearable, you’ll be allowed to get to sleep, soothed and serene.” |
| The debate over end-of-life conditions has been revived in France due to the case of Vincent Lambert, a Frenchman in a coma since a car accident eight years ago. His family is divided over whether to continue care for him. | The debate over end-of-life conditions has been revived in France due to the case of Vincent Lambert, a Frenchman in a coma since a car accident eight years ago. His family is divided over whether to continue care for him. |
| Europe’s top human rights court ruled in June that doctors could stop treatments for him. Legal proceedings are continuing in France, however, since Lambert’s parents have asked for a legal representative to be designated. | Europe’s top human rights court ruled in June that doctors could stop treatments for him. Legal proceedings are continuing in France, however, since Lambert’s parents have asked for a legal representative to be designated. |
| The new bill would also force doctors to follow end-of-life instructions regarding terminal sedation and stopping treatments, whether they are expressed by the persons themselves or written in advance. | |
| People could also designate a “trustworthy person” whose opinion would be predominant if the patient is no longer able to express their will. | |
| The bill specifies that patients can choose to be sedated at home or in the hospital. | |
| Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |