by NexDev | March 29, 2018 | News
On March 26, the Paris City Council unanimously adopted Danielle Simonnet’s plan, (elected official from political party “France Insoumise”), to delete the titles of “mother” and “father” on the application forms for birth certificates. These titles will now be replaced by “parent 1” and “parent 2”.
Attempting to abolish what she qualifies as discrimination against same-sex couples, Danielle Simonnet argues: “It is unfair that same-sex couples should not be able to carry out administrative procedures as other couples do“, adding that “this is a breach of equality”. The City of Paris wants to implement this change “as soon as possible“, according to Bruno Julliard, the first deputy to the mayor (socialist party) Anne Hidalgo.
The application forms for birth records for Paris via Internet have not been modified to take into account same-sex couples who are parents. For example, on the birth certificate application form, the existing labels only indicate: “father’s name” and “mother’s name”.
Some towns have already modified the forms to mention “parent 1” and “parent 2” on some school documents. Since 2010, the SNCF (National Train Company) applications for discount cards for large families have been labeled “parent 1” and “parent 2”.
This action by an elected official in Paris illustrates how the law allowing same-sex marriage has sowed the seeds for a number of long lasting organizational changes in French couples’ daily lives. This contradicts the slogan constantly repeated at the time “this law does not change anything for other couples” (more than 99% of all couples). For example since 2013 the family record book has deleted the titles of “husband or father” and “wife or mother”; the rules for attributing the family name to a newborn have become more complex; Opportunities to adopt a child from abroad have been reduced due to more restrictive policies implemented by some countries for lack of assurance that the children will be entrusted to couples composed of a mother and a father. The basic principle of filiation (every child is born to a man and a woman) is being contested by the possibility of same-sex couples adopting children, etc…
This determination to eliminate the titles of mother and father from administrative documents has negative consequences for tens of millions of people and the vast majority of couples.
by NexDev | March 23, 2018 | End of life, Euthanasia and Suicide, News, Palliative care
During their Plenary Assembly on March 22nd in Lourdes, a Declaration was signed by the 118 Bishops of France entitled: “End-of-life: yes to the urgency of fraternity! ». In their text, they urgently call for continuing to develop palliative care and to oppose the possible legalization of euthanasia.
While commending the efforts of healthcare professionals who try to give patients a better quality at the end of their lives, the bishops lament “the fact that there is inequality of access to palliative care and insufficient training for medical staff and caregivers, which sometimes leads to tragic suffering”.
At a time when those who promote euthanasia are requesting a new legislation during the National Bioethical Conferences which are currently taking place, the bishops counsel “to avoid misjudging the real emergency” and call for “ awakening consciences”. They reiterate their opposition to euthanasia due to six ethical reasons:
- The application of the last law on the end of life (February 2, 2016) is “still largely a work in progress, and requires appropriate training”. Out of respect for the legislative work done, caregivers and patients, it is too early to judge this law.
- Even under guided supervision, facilitating assisted suicide or euthanasia, “would be transgressing the civil imperative of the ‘prohibition to kill’ and would become inscribed into the heart of our society.
- Entrusting healthcare workers with the task of carrying out requests for assisted suicide or euthanasia would contradict the medical vocation and its’ Medical Code of Ethics: “The doctor, at the service of the individual and public health, carries out his mission in respect of human life, the individual and his dignity “.
- Vulnerable people need “trust and to feel they are listened to in order to share their desires, even though these desires are often ambivalent”. “The distress of those who sometimes ask for an end to their life must be heard. It calls for a more attentive accompaniment, not a premature abandonment to the silence of death. “
- The concept of freedom is at issue. Whereas the promoters of assisted suicide and euthanasia claim “the sovereign choice of the patient, his desire to control his destiny” and that “the exercise of this right does not depreciate the person”, the bishops recall that “freedom is never alone, it is always interconnected”…”personal choices, whether we agree or not, always have a collective dimension”.
- Providing “medical help to die” paves the way for creating “specialized death clinics”, which would raise the issue of the type and financing. Thus “it is pressuring our healthcare system to impose an agonizing guilt on caregivers and fellow citizens. Everyone may be led to wonder:” Shouldn’t I consider ending my own life one day? “
Tugdual Derville, Alliance VITA’s General Delegate, founder of SOS End-of-Life, and author of “The Battle Against Euthanasia” (Salvator Editions)
“The fact that the bishops are unanimously opposed to euthanasia is not surprising. However, it is significant that they took care of signing this lengthy and uncommon text in a collegiate manner, to address conditions regarding the end-of-life. To recall, as they do with humanity, the link between the prohibition to kill and a true fraternity is essential for our country.
As in the Bishops’ Declaration, we also agree that the issue of end-of-life in France calls for other emergencies than passing a new law. We must remain attentive on how the previous laws are implemented: a broad interpretation could be a slippery slope towards masked forms of euthanasia.
We must also acknowledge the actual involvement of many Christians in the field of palliative care: as caregivers or volunteers, they contribute, in a creative way, to social fraternity, serving those who are most vulnerable. “
by NexDev | March 23, 2018 | Euthanasia and Suicide, News
Ever since the Netherlands became the 1st country in the world to decriminalize euthanasia 16 years ago, the requests for euthanasia have been steadily rising. As chairman of the Regional Euthanasia Review Committees Dr. Jacob Kohnstamm, even speaks of it “becoming familiar”.
In early March, the Euthanasia Watch Committee published its annual report. It indicates that 6,585 euthanasia cases were performed in 2017, accounting for 4.4% of all deaths annually, and a rise of 8% compared to the previous year. Ninety percent of patients had cancer, heart disease or nervous system diseases. However, 83 people suffered from serious psychiatric disorders, which is a highly debatable subject. This steady increase since 2002 will probably continue, with increasing pressure to have euthanasia extended to individuals who believe their “life is over” or “are tired of living” at age 70 or 75.
Moreover, a new digression developed recently with the association “Laatste Will” (“Last Will”). Since last September, it advertised being able to provide a deadly powder to its members who desire ” a complete autonomy” for “when and how they want to die”. This association had to stop marketing this product on March 23rd, by order from the prosecutor’s office.
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For further information: “Euthanasia in the Netherlands”
by NexDev | March 21, 2018 | News, Prenatal diagnosis
Every year since 2006, March 21st has been known as the World Down Syndrome Day (“WDSD”). This date is a symbol in itself: “3/21” or the 21st day of the 3rd month was chosen to represent the triplication, instead of the usual duplication of the 21st chromosome which is responsible for Down syndrome. Since 2012 the UN has officially observed WDSD, to raise public awareness for the rights and well-being of those with Down Syndrome, for them to be recognized and accepted by the general public.
Only a few years ago, the parents of children with Down syndrome tended to hide their child, but today people seem to show more understanding and kindness, as reported by the French newspaper “Le Figaro”. In recent years social media has even demonstrated a marked enthusiasm for photos and videos of disabled children or young adults, such as those with Down Syndrome. Just one year ago, the little Mélanie presented the weather forecast on French TV (channel 3), seen by 8.3 million viewers. The multinational company Gerber, even selected little 18-month old Lucas, instead of 140,000 other babies to represent their brand.
“Showing disability demonstrates how vulnerable we all are, regardless of our particular vulnerability,” says Laurent de Cherisey, the social entrepreneur who directs the “Simon de Cyrene” association. “It is a reminder that above all, a business company is still a humane adventure. This can also be a successful wager for the brand which is being represented. “
Last autumn, the TV movie “Special Mention”, which is about the strife of a girl with Down syndrome who struggled to obtain her “French Baccalaureate Degree” (High School Diploma), was a surprising success, attracting nearly 6 million viewers.
To help eradicate stereotypes, Caroline Boudet, journalist and mother of little Louise, published on Facebook in 2015 “Louise is my 4-month old daughter with healthy big cheeks, 2 arms, 2 legs, and 1 extra chromosome “. Her page received “likes” from 100,000 people. Today, she has just launched a video entitled “Our children with Down Syndrome are different, yes, like you are too!” Last October, Franck Stephens, a young American actor and athlete pleaded the cause for funding Down Syndrome research before the US Congress.
Above all other disabilities in France, Down Syndrome is nevertheless targeted in prenatal screening, and does not receive any public research funding. The Jérôme Lejeune Foundation has been committed to providing therapeutic research and consultations. In France there is a real contradiction when comparing prenatal screening, (one of the highest in the world where 96% of fetuses diagnosed with Trisomy are aborted), although France has programs for assisting disabled people to include them in civil society. Annually there are approximately 400 babies with Down Syndrome born in France. The Biomedicine Agency estimates that out of 2,000 fetuses diagnosed with Down Syndrome, 1,500 are aborted and 95 are born alive.
The 2011 French Bioethics law requires that all pregnant women, regardless of their age, be informed that screening for Down syndrome is available during their 1st trimester. This pressure is likely to increase, since in May 2017 a new test was implemented for “Non-invasive prenatal testing” (NIPT) on fetal DNA circulating in the mother’s bloodstream.
For Alliance VITA, the issue of disability and prenatal screening is a major one for the National Bioethics Conferences. The contributions of Alliance VITA to the “CCNE (National Consultative Ethics Committee) focused on this issue:
- Resist eugenics, and this implies a change in the disability screening policies, and a better support to the parents when announcing the detection of a disability:
- Launch a 5-year plan to lend support and take charge of disabilities, with a substantial budget;
- Conduct awareness campaigns to valorize those with disabilities, especially mental disabilities, and their right to be respected and live as any citizen in our society.
https://etatsgenerauxbioethique.alliancevita.org/analyses-et-propositions/
by NexDev | March 16, 2018 | End of life, News, Old age and Dependency
Following the mid-September 2017 recommendations of the “flash mission” for the “EHPAD’s” (nursing home establishments for aged and dependent individuals), MPs Monique Iborra (LREM, Haute Garonne) and Caroline Fiat (LFI, Meurthe-et-Moselle) presented a report on the “EPHAD” situation to the Social Affairs Committee of the National Assembly on March 14th.
The report finds a “deep crisis” in these institutions: the “EHPADs” are no longer able to adequately manage healthcare for increasingly more dependent and older people (average age of 85 according to the French Directorate of Research, Analysis, Evaluation and Statistics, “DREES”). The two deputies call on the French government to take immediate measures, but also to reconsider the “EHPAD model itself”.
As a result of the 19 visits to establishments throughout France and trips to the Netherlands and Denmark, 31 measures have been proposed to help solve the current crisis. Among the measures: the rapporteurs recommend to increase the ratio of caregivers (nurses and nurse’s aides) to 60 employees for 100 residents within 4 years. The current ratio is approximately 24.5 caregivers and 6 nurses for 100 residents. This would be the “minimum standard” to ensure that each resident receives 1 ½ hours of care every day. While the government announces a few million € more for EHPAD, the rapporteurs point out that their recommendation requires over 200, 000 recruitments, which would cost 7-10 billion €.
Regarding the EPHAD funding reform voted in the last 5-year term, and still in force, the two rapporteurs unequivocally call for “suspending the reform for dependency tariffs” (proposition n ° 24).
The report also suggests that the National Health Insurance establish free home consultations, at 65, then at age 70, to assess the peoples’ health condition and dependency, and inform them on the aids available.
Similarly, both rapporteurs are in favor of reducing the EPHAD costs for residents: “the resources of many residents (average pension of 1,200€ versus an income of 1,700€) is very low compared to the nursing home prices (1,900 € including 700 € for “meals and lodging”). The MP, Monique Iborra explains that: “a number of people remain at home in questionable conditions, and do not enter nursing homes due to the prohibitive cost”.
This “flash-mission” gave its conclusions on the eve of a massive general national mobilization scheduled for 15 March. Nine national organizations *, retirees, staff from EPHADs and home-based care services rallied throughout France to voice their dissatisfaction: the 1.7 point increase in the social contribution charges “CSG: Contribution Sociale Généralisée”) for 60% of retirees, the declining pensions, staff shortages in nursing homes, elderly persons being neglected or mistreated… Between 39,000 and 68,000 retirees reportedly expressed dissatisfaction in 30 cities, according to accounts from the “AFP: Agence France Presse”, the police, and trade union figures.
This strike occurs about 6 weeks after the first unprecedented massive strike which denounced understaffing and demanded the repeal of a contested price reform for their funding.
On March 15, the Minister of Health and Solidarity, Agnès Buzyn, announced in a press release “that the National Assembly works with all French departments” on a budget plan for dependent people and promised “strategic planning” by early April 2018 for managing care for the aging population.
(French Trade and Labor Unions : UCR-CGT, UCR-FO, UNAR-CFTC, UNIR CFE-CGC, FSU-Retraités, Solidaires, FGR, LSR et UNRPA)________________
For further information:
Nursing Homes in France: Both the Elderly and their Caregivers are Suffering
Solidarity for the Elderly
