NexDev

[Press Release] Following Wide-Scale Public Debates: French Opinions on Revising Bioethics Law

by NexDev | May 7, 2019 | Press Releases, Bioethics, Medically Assisted Procreation

As several revisions in the bioethics law are scheduled to be debated at the French Parliament in the coming months, Alliance VITA asked citizens to rank the 16 propositions.

A few days after the press conference was held, subsequent to the wide-scale public debates, an IFOP opinion poll was conducted to survey French opinions to revisions in the bioethics law.

The results show that only 1% of the French rated “revising the bioethics law to allow single women and female couples to have access to ART (Assisted Reproductive Techniques) without a father or male partner” as a number 1 priority. Merely 6% of the population rated this issue among their top 3 priorities! Consequently, this proposed reform finishes in last place, along with 2 others ranked as “least important“.

Tugdual Derville, Alliance VITA’s General Delegate, states:

“This opinion poll undeniably confirms that the French are concerned about other issues, versus that of changing current bioethical principles, especially that of allowing ART without a father, which would rescind the basic principles of procreation and parentage. If French President Macron listens to his fellow citizens subsequent to the National Consultations on Bioethics, and the Public Debates, he would be well-advised to stop trying to force through this reform. For his fellow citizens it is neither a prime concern, nor consensual, and would only contribute to dividing the French even further. It even appears shameful that Parliament waste precious time debating this reform, ahead of many other legitimate issues and priorities that need to be addressed! Recall that the ART without a father was not part of Macron’s election campaign promises, and that he also promised calm, peaceful dialogues focused on consensus. This has definitely not yet been established. Quite obviously, the French remain attached to the importance of the father’s role in society. “

[Press Release]: Alliance VITA Beckons European Electoral Candidates to Focus on Vulnerable Generations

by NexDev | April 28, 2019 | Press Releases

On April 28, 2019, Alliance VITA launched an awareness campaign on a European level entitled “Vulnerable Generations”. This initiative gives the European electoral candidates the means to stay informed about the social and humanitarian challenges that all European countries are now facing. The recent data from the IFOP opinion poll has shown that German and French citizens are in favor of focusing more on “human and social” issues and less on “economic and financial” considerations.

Simultaneously challenged with population ageing throughout the continent, Europe must also deal with a demographic decline. The contributions from the younger generations, as well as the cornucopia of the older generations’ wealth of experience and resources are equally important. It is crucial to actively promote intergenerational solidarity and fellowship.

Intergenerational Solidarity: Commended by both French and German Citizens

Intergenerational solidarity and fellowship is the “take-home” message published on April 28, 2019 by the IFOP opinion poll on European demographic issues for France and Germany, carried out at the behest of Alliance VITA.

The vast majority of French and German citizens asserted that the upcoming European elections (May 26^th) should concentrate on encouraging intergenerational fellowship and promoting different means to accompany and support those who are no longer autonomous. The director of the “IFOP” opinion department, Jérôme Fourquet, emphasizes: “Albeit that French and Germans’ have similar opinions on ageing, their respective views on natality are very different.” Their opinion poll reports that 52% of French people are either anxious or fearful about the future compared to only 36% in Germany.

But first and foremost, and in agreement with opinions expressing in the recent French national debate, the vast majority of French citizens (78%) think that European policies have been overly concentrated on economics and finances and not enough on humane and social issues. Despite having a very different economic and social context in their country, an overwhelming majority of Germans (71%) have voiced their agreement with the French.

10 Proposals for European Intergenerational Solidarity and Fellowship

Since Europe’s genuine fortune is embodied in its’ citizens, Alliance VITA has decided to shine the spotlight on these men and women. Thus prior to the European elections, voters can now reflect on ten different proposals formulated in favor of supporting and protecting citizens in France or in Europe who have become dependent and/or vulnerable. The information will be available on Internet, as well as by informational leaflets which will be distributed in 40 different cities by over 1,100 Alliance VITA volunteers.

For Alliance VITA this also represents an occasion to solicit the French on their opinion of intergenerational solidarity and fellowship. Gift cards will also be available which can be personalized to offer to an acquaintance from another generation as a gesture of solidarity.

[Press Release] New Death Sentence for Vincent Lambert by French Court Order

by NexDev | April 24, 2019 | Disabled, Press Releases

Tugdual Derville, Alliance VITA’s General Delegate, author of “The Battle of Euthanasia” published by Salvator insists:

“By ruling that it is not illegal to deprive a patient of life-sustaining necessities, namely food and water, the French State Council has once again signed Vincent Lambert’s death sentence. In this day and age, it is unbelievably shocking that a court’s decision can be tantamount to condemning a sick individual to death. Rather than have Vincent put to death, members of his family who filed the appeal have repeatedly requested his transfer to a specialized healthcare unit. These units were set up to provide care for individuals in a chronic vegetative or pauci-relational state, in accordance with the 2002 French law relating to the guarantee of patients’ rights.”

Ambiguity on Surrogacy at ECHR

by NexDev | April 10, 2019 | Medically Assisted Procreation, Press Releases

The Court of Cassation chose to request an advisory opinion from the European Court of Human Rights on surrogacy, rather than follow the French law, which bans surrogacy. This represents an alarming signal for Alliance VITA.

Until now, the authorities at the Council of Europe have not shown unwavering determination to preserve the rights of women and children regarding surrogacy. If it does not point out the human rights violation, which is inherent in surrogacy, the ECHR’s stance remains grievously ambiguous.

Tugdual Derville, Alliance VITA’s General Delegate states:

“Although we commend ECHR’s refusal to yield to the most insulting claims from surrogacy promoters, we deeply regret that a court dedicated to human rights does not firmly contest the serious violation of these rights. Instead, this court merely mentions the “risks of abuse”. Is it necessary to repeat that surrogacy is inherently based on exploiting women’s bodies? This constitutes a flagrant regression for human rights. The act of surrogacy treats women as objects, and imposes a fragmented maternity and an artificial bond of filiation on the child. Even if the advisory opinion comes in support of France’s position when refusing the transcription of birth certificates established abroad, it also conveys the idea that this fraud against the law is relatively unimportant. The ECHR requires member states to establish parentage, whether by adoption or other means, based solely on the fait-accompli of surrogacy performed abroad. Therefore, this ambiguous position is interfering with French bioethics laws, ignores any consideration of the child’s best interest, and is contradictory to enforcing the ban on surrogacy.”

Mandatory Divorce Course in Denmark to Help Children Adapt

by NexDev | April 5, 2019 | News

As part of a new divorce law that entered into force in Denmark on April 1, 2019, parents with children under the age of 18 who want to end their marriage must take a 30-minute online course.

Previously, Danes seeking divorce could do so by clicking online, requiring no judge nor waiting period. Now, couples must complete a mandatory internet course, before their marriage can be dissolved. This digital application is designed to help them adapt to their new situation and consider the consequences of divorce for their children. If couples fail to complete the course, they will remain officially married.

In 2018, Denmark registered 15,000 divorces, or 46.5% of marriages recorded last year. Approximately 70% of children under age 18 live together with both their parents.

This program with 17 modules offers concrete solutions to potential conflict areas, ranging from school issues to how to handle birthday parties. Entitled “Cooperation after Divorce”, it is based on a program developed by researchers from the University of Copenhagen and has been approved by the government. More than half the children in Denmark (54%) are born to unmarried couples. If these parents decide to separate, the course is not mandatory. Unmarried couples with children.

The modules were tested on 2,500 volunteers between 2015 and 2018, and gave impressive results, according to Martin Hald, a psychologist and associate professor at the University of Copenhagen who helped create the course. “In 12 of 14 cases we could see that the program had a moderate to strong positive effect on mental and physical health,” he said, “improving levels of stress, depression, anxiety, physical or mental suffering, and leading to fewer work absences.”

Just as these tighter measures are being enacted in Denmark, the recent Justice Reform Law dated March 23, 2019 has relaxed the time period for divorce in France from 2 years to 1 year.