End-of-life law: Health Minister promises that no doctor "will be forced" to perform euthanasia

Health Minister Catherine Vautrin is setting safeguards. This Monday, May 12, as the two end-of-life texts are about to be debated in the National Assembly , the minister was a guest on BFMTV-RMC. She outlined the framework for what could lead to assisted suicide in France.

As she recalled, the bill put forward by her government is based on a "self-administration approach" of the lethal substance by the person directly concerned.

An exception could exist, in the event of the patient's incapacity, where a healthcare professional would administer the product themselves, a form of euthanasia. The minister herself is tabling an amendment laying down these guidelines.

"This self-administration approach is also an additional step to protect the medical profession and I believe it is important to say this, we must obviously respect each health professional, which is why the conscience clause will obviously apply, no caregiver will be forced to perform the lethal act," said the Minister of Health, Labor and Solidarity, adding:

"I repeat, for me, self-administration is a key element of the subject."

The text under consideration only opens the way to the end of life for people suffering from a serious and incurable condition, which is life-threatening in the advanced or terminal stages . These criteria are, however, difficult to judge, according to an opinion from the High Authority for Health.

Other safeguards are being considered to protect the most vulnerable, such as the introduction of a 48-hour reflection period, or monitoring their discernment so that they are fully capable of making this decision in full awareness.

"If the patient loses his or her discernment, the procedure stops," explained Catherine Vautrin.

However, the provisions could be clarified during parliamentary discussions. The current text, if passed, will then be sent to the Senate, before returning to the Assembly and then going before the Joint Committee. The government member promised a law "by 2027."