Spanish region prepares pioneering euthanasia law

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2008

MADRID (AFP) — The local government of Spain's southwestern region of Andalucia said Wednesday it was preparing a pioneering euthanasia law which would allow terminally ill patients to refuse medical treatment and make it illegal to keep someone alive by artificial means.

Under the text of the draft law, which will be put to a vote in the region's parliament, patients will have their "will and dignity" respected during the final stages of their lives, the socialist government of Andalucia said in a statement.

Patients will be able to "refuse or stop any treatment or medical intervention even if this could put their lives at risk" and will have the right to "receive treatment against pain, including palliative sedatives", it added.

Daily newspaper El Pais...