On the occasion of the presentation of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor to Line Renaud, Emmanuel Macron declared that it was time to debate a law on the right to die with dignity. The Ethics Committee deemed possible active assistance in dying but “under certain strict conditions”.
If a new law on the end of life were to be discussed in France, there is “a way” towards active assistance in dying, but “under certain strict conditions”, estimated Tuesday the National Advisory Committee on Ethics (CCNE). “There is a way for an ethical application of active assistance in dying, under certain strict conditions with which it seems unacceptable to compromise”, declared during a press conference Alain Claeys, one of the rapporteurs of a opinion delivered on Tuesday by the institution.
“We need clarity and time for debate”
In its purely advisory opinion, the National Ethics Committee issued proposals with which we should not compromise, he specifies. The persons concerned are adults whose vital prognosis is committed in the medium term. One of the main conditions to which other rules are added.
“The request for active assistance in dying must be expressed by a person with decision-making autonomy at the time of the request. A request which is examined within the framework of a collegial procedure. On the other hand, we wish that “there is a public debate on this subject which of course concerns citizens. Clarity and time for debate are needed”, explains Alain Claeys, rapporteur for life.
Health professionals should be able to benefit from a conscience clause. If they refuse a patient’s request for assisted dying, they should be obliged to refer the patient to another doctor. This opinion contrasts with the 2016 law on the end of life. Today, only deep sedation is authorized for incurable patients in very great suffering, whose vital prognosis is committed in the short term.