France considers law on right to die

[question everything]

SignOnSanDiego.com

France considers law on right to die

By Kerstin Gehmlich
REUTERS

November 26, 2004

PARIS – A draft French law to allow terminally ill patients to opt for death over further treatment has won widespread support following a wave of sympathy last year for a mother seeking euthanasia for her crippled son.

France's parliament will start debating the proposal today. It would allow doctors to switch off patients' life-support machines if "there is no hope to achieve an improvement in the person's health and if these extend life artificially."

The authors of the proposal – supported by the conservative government, opposition Socialists and the Roman Catholic Church – have emphasized that the bill does not copy voluntary euthanasia now legal in Belgium and the Netherlands.

The draft bill says terminally ill patients should have the right to ask for treatment to be stopped, even if that leads to death, and doctors should respect their wishes after verification with the patient and medical colleagues.

More..


Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041126/news_1n26france.html

[daleo]

1. This will get the Freepers jabbering about the French

More proof that they don't love God, and aren't' tough enough to die in horrible pain from terminal illness the way God likes.

[TaleWgnDg]

2. the FRENCH! geez, first "Freedom Fries," now this . . .

In all seriousness, this is great news. Good for the French! This goes along with France which has one of the best healthcare systems on the planet. Tis no surprise that the French are willing to enter the 21st century with their eyes wide open and their own ppl's welfare in mind . . .

Vive la France!! who are willing to Separate Church from State and vice versa . . .


*************edited to add******************
this post re right to die w/ dignity (France) should be in DU's Politics & Issues Forums > health care
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[eleonora]

3. It should be the same here

If I'm terminally ill, I want to end my life in dignity.