"The law promises a 'right to die' when we no longer have the means to guarantee a right to be treated."

"Individual freedom," "ultimate right," "social progress": the bill currently under review, which aims to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide, is now being promoted by a section of the left as a progressive struggle. What if it were instead a liberal fiction, that of a high-performing, autonomous, flawless individual, even until death? What are we really defending today, in the name of progress, with the misnamed "right to die"?

This claim is based in particular on the same old refrain: popular opinion is favorable, even demands it! However, a first observation is necessary: ​​this opinion is poorly informed about what exists today, about what is possible when a person is sick and suffering. "Active assistance in dying", refusal or cessation of treatment, sedation and relief: we are thus exploiting an opinion that we know is insufficiently informed, but completely concerned by the anxiety of illness, old age, dependency and death.

In France today, any sick person can decide what level of care they wish to continue or discontinue. They can receive relief and support, from pain relief to sedation. Yet, these options are often poorly understood by the general public, legislators, and sometimes healthcare professionals. Many debates are based on this misunderstanding. This confusion fuels discourses that trivialize medically administered death, which is presented to us as a solution to suffering. But before responding with death, let's look at reality.

When faced with illness, everyone can easily imagine what they would need: to be able to be monitored calmly in the hospital, to have caregivers accessible in the community and at home if necessary. As the disease progresses, there may be a need for a consultation at a pain management center, psychological support, or monitoring by a palliative care team. However, we know that our healthcare system is collapsing.

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