Alexandra Jaegy 2:47 p.m., February 17, 2023

While the question of euthanasia and assisted suicide is debated all the way to the Élysée, thirteen professional organizations and learned societies, representing 800,000 caregivers from all walks of life, proclaim with one voice their refusal to participate in active assistance. to die.

A call that sounds like a warning to the Head of State, who wants a citizens' convention.

Is active assistance in dying morally acceptable?

If this is practiced in several neighboring countries of France, the question continues to divide professionals and politicians in France.

Emmanuel Macron opened the debate on euthanasia and assisted suicide at the start of the school year, creating this week an approach of unprecedented magnitude: the common refusal of thirteen professional organizations and learned societies to participate in the establishment of such a measure.

This refusal, which includes 800,000 caregivers, sounds like a warning to the Head of State for Doctor Gaël Durel.

>> READ ALSO -

 End of life: two thirds of French people do not have access to palliative care

A radical transformation

The doctor, co-author of

La vie éthique

, is part of the National Association of Coordinating Physicians in Ehpad.

"From the moment the President of the Republic requests a citizens' convention, we, as caregivers, consider it our duty to alarm him. The Council of the Order will have to change the oath that each doctor takes: ' I will not carry death.' It is really a radical and fundamental transformation of our health system", he explains.

The doctor recalls that if such a law were to pass, it would run counter to the very nature of the work of a caregiver, which can only be to provide care.

"Giving death is not a cure. Currently, 90% of people who have made an explicit death request. They are given time, by providing care to relieve their suffering, to reconsider their opinion. In 90% of case, these people will not reformulate their request", he adds.

>> READ ALSO -

 Assisted suicide: the moving testimony of Paulette Guinchard's husband

The issue of informed consent

The criteria for implementing active assistance in dying raise many questions, in particular regarding the duration of such a decision.

For example, if a nursing home resident signs an advance directive but suffers from dementia months later.

Any trusted person would ask that this directive be applied without leaving the possibility for the resident of Ehpad to change his mind.

"It's as if we were taking away their citizenship. Deeply changing this notion of care and something serious," concludes the professional.