Approved last May by the deputies of the National Assembly, the bill concerning the establishment of “assisted dying” is becoming more precise. This week, article 5 of the bill desired by the Head of State was approved.
In March, Emmanuel Macron presented his “ French end-of-life model “. This aims in particular to offer a “ help to die ” under certain conditions. On May 17, the deputies of the National Assembly had approved in Committee the bill carried by the President of the Republic.
Thursday June 6, a further step forward was taken by the deputies of the National Assembly. After several days of intense debate, article 5 of the bill on assisted dying was adopted by a large majority (88 votes to 55).
“ Assisted dying consists of authorizing and accompanying a person who has expressed a request to use a lethal substance. », This is how the article voted on last Thursday defined this system desired by the Head of State. “ The President of the Republic was committed to this, a French model is opening for voluntary patients who are going to die and whose suffering cannot be relieved », Commented the Minister of Health, Catherine Vautrin, on X.
However, article 5 of the bill on assisted dying has been amended. Indeed, the deputies removed the provision stipulating that a third person was capable of injecting the lethal substance leading to the end of life.
“ The person administers a lethal substance to himself or, when he is not physically able to do so, have it administered by a doctor or nurse,” indicates Article 5. In addition to medical personnel, a “willing person” will therefore not be able to administer the lethal substance to the patient at the end of life.
MEPs will now have to look at article 6 of “assisted dying”
Although supported by the government, this provision was, in fact, deleted by the deputies by 43 votes to 42. After the adoption of article 5, the National Assembly will now have to look at article 6 of the draft assisted dying law. This includes the conditions of access to the device.
According to the initial version of this bill, the government wishes to limit it to adult patients whose vital prognosis is at risk in the short or medium term. In addition to these two conditions, the patients concerned must display the “ will in a free and informed manner », Reports AFP.
