The order of doctors is “unfavourable” that doctors can participate in “a process that would lead to euthanasia” in the event of a change in end-of-life legislation, following a consultation, the conclusions of which it publishes, Saturday 1is avril.
After nine months of reflection by its departmental and regional councils, the Order of Physicians is speaking out as the citizens’ convention on the end of life completes its work. She will probably recommend on Sunday the legalization of a “active assistance in dying”without it being known yet what the intentions of the President of the Republic are on the question.
The order of doctors says, in the preamble, “unfavorable to any possibility of setting up an active assisted dying procedure for minors and people unable to express their will”.
In the event of a legislative change towards legalization of active assistance in dying (euthanasia and/or assisted suicide), it “will be unfavorable to the participation of a doctor in a process that would lead to euthanasia, the doctor cannot deliberately cause death by the administration of a lethal product”.
In the event of legalization of assisted suicide, the order of doctors requests a specific conscience clause “which might be highlighted at any time during the procedure”without preventing the doctor claiming this clause from continuing to follow his patient.
For order, “assessment, eligibility decision for active assistance in dying and accountability should be collegial” and the treating or referring physician “should always be a member” of this college if he has not invoked his conscience clause.
If he is “unfavorable to the active participation of the doctor during the taking of the lethal product by the patient”he believes that he should be able to follow him until his last moments if he has not asserted his conscience clause.
Finally, the order considers that “the law must protect the doctor who participates in the procedure of active assistance in dying”.
In the current state of the legislation, the order “considers it imperative to allow better application of the Claeys-Leonetti law”which prohibits euthanasia and assisted suicide, but allows “deep and continuous sedation until death” in specific cases, and is particularly ready to contribute “to the development of palliative and support care”.
