French lawmakers vote on terminal sedation, not euthanasia

Paris: France's lawmakers are set to vote on a bill that would allow doctors to keep terminally ill patients sedated until death comes, but stop short of legalising euthanasia or assisted suicide.

After years of tense debate over the issue and a long journey through Parliament, the bill is facing a final vote Wednesday in both houses of Parliament. If adopted, it would allow patients to request "deep, continuous sedation altering consciousness until death," but only when their condition is likely to lead to a quick death.

Doctors would be allowed to stop life-sustaining treatments, including artificial hydration and nutrition.

The bill would also apply to patients who are unable to express their will, following a process that includes consultation with family members.