France: mixed reactions to new law on end-of-life care

February 03, 2016

French lawmakers have passed legislation on end-of-life care that rejects euthanasia but permits “terminal sedation” and the withdrawal of artificial nutrition and hydration for the terminally ill.

The Bishops’ Conference of France published a statement praising the new law.

The legislation “rejected the idea that life could be useless” while protecting patients from disproportionate therapies, said a group of bishops and doctors led by Archbishop Pierre d’Ornellas of Rennes.

A pro-life medical ethicist warned, however, that the law will permit “a form of medical and administrative management of euthanasia that will surreptitiously insinuate itself into medical practice,” according to LifeSiteNews.

 

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Further information:

• Loi Claeys-Leonetti : Oui à la culture palliative (Bishops’ Conference of France)
• French Lawmakers Approve Terminal Sedation, Not Euthanasia (AP)
• France takes a big step towards euthanasia with new ‘terminal sedation’ law (LifeSiteNews.com)