Pierre Limant | Euthanasia: Following one's own conscience

What prompted you to make the issue of euthanasia the focus of your activities in your old age?

I have seen all too often that seriously ill elderly people had to suffer in inhumane agony because the law forbade doctors from complying with their wishes and putting an end to their pain .

Haven't several of your colleagues ignored this?

Yes, this has happened more often than is generally assumed, but in doing so, they placed themselves in great danger. The law still provides for severe prison sentences and fines. And the resulting revocation of a doctor's license by the medical association means that the person in question and their family lose their livelihood and are left with nothing. The fact that quite a few doctors have nevertheless taken this risk out of compassion for their patients and because they view euthanasia as a natural human right cannot be praised highly enough.

What is your assessment of the bill currently being discussed in Parliament?

This was originally a single law that provided for the right to effective palliative care for all patients as well as assisted suicide for particularly serious cases where the affected person expressly requested it. Prime Minister François Bayrou split it into two laws, probably because he is entirely in favor of palliative care and wants to promote it, while having serious reservations about assisted suicide. But I believe that as head of government, he must not prioritize his own religious beliefs, but must govern neutrally in the interests of all French people. In this, he should take a leaf out of the book of right-wing liberal President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, who, in 1974, contrary to his personal beliefs but in keeping with the progressive spirit of the times, legalized abortion.

However, opponents of euthanasia also include quite a few doctors, nurses, and caregivers who chose their profession out of humanistic conviction and who believe it is their duty to preserve life. How do you assess this?

This must be respected, but at the same time, it must be emphasized that no one should be forced to provide euthanasia. The law contains a "conscience clause" for this purpose, according to which any doctor or nurse can express their personal reservations and then not be held accountable, just as has been the case with abortion for 50 years without any problems.

Don't you even think that doctors who are convinced of the necessity of euthanasia should be particularly committed to it?

Yes, it caused quite a stir in the media when I suggested that retired doctors should volunteer for euthanasia. I believe that, based on their many years of experience, they—like me—are more convinced than the average professional that the option of assisted dying should be available and is entirely consistent with medical ethics.