Woman Denied Euthanasia Found Dead
Wednesday 19 March 2008 By Reuters
Chantal Sébire, a 52 year old Frenchwoman suffering from an incurable tumour, was found dead Wednesday. She had failed on Monday in her bid to set a legal precedent in France for patients seeking euthanasia.
She had failed on Monday in her bid to set a legal precedent in France for patients seeking medical help to end their own lives.
A court in the eastern city of Dijon ruled that Chantal Sebire, 52, could not have a doctor help her die because it would breach both the code of medical ethics and the law, under which assisted suicide is a crime.
"Ms Sebire's request, which is understandable in human terms, cannot succeed in law," the court said in its ruling.
"While Ms. Sebire's physical deterioration deserves compassion, under French law the judge must reject the request."
Although active euthanasia is illegal in France, a 2005 law allows doctors to withhold treatment with a patient's consent in certain circumstances.
Sebire, whose face is painfully bloated and distorted by the rare tumour growing in her sinuses, sought permission for assisted suicide in the hope of establishing a precedent.
to read the entire article and see a video of Ms. Sebire, go to
http://www.france24.com/en/20080319-france-euthanasia-chantal-sebire-dijon
Chantal Sébire, a 52 year old Frenchwoman suffering from an incurable tumour, was found dead Wednesday. She had failed on Monday in her bid to set a legal precedent in France for patients seeking euthanasia.
She had failed on Monday in her bid to set a legal precedent in France for patients seeking medical help to end their own lives.
A court in the eastern city of Dijon ruled that Chantal Sebire, 52, could not have a doctor help her die because it would breach both the code of medical ethics and the law, under which assisted suicide is a crime.
"Ms Sebire's request, which is understandable in human terms, cannot succeed in law," the court said in its ruling.
"While Ms. Sebire's physical deterioration deserves compassion, under French law the judge must reject the request."
Although active euthanasia is illegal in France, a 2005 law allows doctors to withhold treatment with a patient's consent in certain circumstances.
Sebire, whose face is painfully bloated and distorted by the rare tumour growing in her sinuses, sought permission for assisted suicide in the hope of establishing a precedent.
to read the entire article and see a video of Ms. Sebire, go to
http://www.france24.com/en/20080319-france-euthanasia-chantal-sebire-dijon
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