France’s ‘aid in dying’ law comes into effect after constitutional approval

Right to assisted dying established for patients with conditions assessed as incurable and causing unbearable pain Legislation granting incurably ill adults the right to assisted dying has been formally adopted in France after the text was approved by the country’s highest constitutional authority and published in the official journal. The law, known as a law on “end of life” or “aid in dying” rather than “assisted dying” or “euthanasia”, means France joins the small group of countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada to have legalised the practice. Published on Wednesday after years of debate, it establishes a right to assisted dying for patients of legal age who are French nationals or long-term residents and suffering from conditions that are assessed as incurable and are causing unbearable pain. A doctor must verify the patient’s eligibility before a panel assesses whether the criteria have been met. Once approval has been granted, patients must wait at least two days before the procedure can take place and confirm their decision on the day. The patient may withdraw consent at any time and must administer the lethal substance themse