00:00The Lower House of French Parliament adopted a bill on Tuesday that legalizes assisted dying.
00:08The bill passed with 305 votes in favor and 199 against,
00:12and was backed by centrist and left-wing lawmakers while most right-wing MPs opposed it.
00:18The National Assembly vote is a key step on the long-debated issue.
00:22The bill will now be sent to the Senate for further deliberation and voting.
00:27A final vote on the measure could take months due to France's notoriously long and complex process.
00:34If passed, French citizens and residents over the age of 18 will be entitled to lethal medication
00:39if they suffer from terminal or incurable illnesses.
00:43But patients suffering from psychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's won't be eligible.
00:51A team of medical professionals will need to assess and confirm each request on a case-by-case basis
00:56before the process can move forward.
00:59A 2023 report indicated that most French people support voluntary end-of-life options.
01:05Critics, however, which include French religious leaders,
01:08have denounced the bill and warned of its potentially dangerous effect on society.
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