France's government has unveiled a bill that would permit adults with terminal cancer or other incurable illnesses to access lethal medication, responding to increasing public calls for legal options for aid in dying. The proposed measure comes as many French citizens have sought such services in neighboring countries where medically assisted suicide or euthanasia is already legal.
The bill, long-awaited by President Emmanuel Macron, sets out specific criteria for patients to qualify for the option. To be eligible, individuals must be over 18 years old, French citizens, or residents of France. A team of medical professionals would need to confirm that the patient is suffering from a grave and incurable illness, experiencing intolerable and untreatable pain, and is making the decision to seek lethal medication voluntarily.
