France starts a debate on legalising assisted dying

Fewaspects of life are as sensitive as the leaving of it. Such is the taboo about death and how to manage it in many parts of Europe that France has decided that its debate about whether to legalise assisted dying should be taken out of the hands of politicians. On December 9th a citizens’ assembly made up of 150 randomly selected people began a public debate that will shape the way France approaches the legal and medical management of death.Over nine weekends between now and the end of March 2023, the newly established citizens’ assembly will meet in Paris. Officially its remit is to discuss the “end of life” rather than “assisted dying”. The question that Elisabeth Borne, the prime minister, set participants when she launched the convention was open-ended: “Is the current framework surrounding the end of life well-adapted to the different situations that arise, or should changes be brought in?” It is clear, however, that what is up for discussion is whether to legalise assisted dying.