Following Emmanuel Macron’s campaign promises on the legalization of assisted reproduction for all, and prior to the revision of the bioethics law, an Ifop poll carried out by La Croix reveals a profound transformation in the mentalities of the French on the subject.
With a view to the States General on Bioethics, which must be held during the 1er quarter 2018, prior to the revision of the bioethics law, an Ifop survey carried out by La Croix reveals the profound changes in mentalities on the subjects of assisted reproduction, surrogacy, euthanasia and genetic manipulations on the embryo human.
Strong evolution on reproduction issues
Six in 10 French people say they are in favor of extending the right to assisted reproduction for couples of homosexual women, a clear change compared to 2013 when they were only 47%. In addition, 57% are in favor of single women.
A detailed analysis of the questionnaire reveals that there are no major differences according to age and political preferences. Regarding Surrogacy (Surrogacy), 64% of French people would be in favor, including 46% for medical reasons and 18% in all cases.
Legalize euthanasia
Regarding the end of life, 47% of French people think that euthanasia should be legalized, 24% that euthanasia and assisted suicide should be legalized and 18% that only assisted suicide should be legalized. In the end, only 11% of French people are opposed to the change.
In the survey, euthanasia is defined as “the possibility for a patient suffering from an incurable disease to ask a doctor to end his life”. As for assisted suicide, it is defined as the “possibility for a third party to deliver a lethal product allowing those who wish to put an end to these days”.
Conditional genetic manipulation
Before birth, and when it comes to curing the most serious diseases, 80% of French people agree to the genetic manipulation of human embryos.
On the other hand, if it is a question of improving certain characteristics, such as the size and the color of the eyes, of the unborn child, 78% are opposed to it.
They are, moreover, 90% to declare that the donation of gametes must remain free and 80% to declare themselves in favor of its anonymity.
A participatory website
A dedicated website should be launched soon in order to collect the opinions of French citizens, that of learned societies and associations. Mid-January would be the informal date for the kickoff of the States General, which aim to end on July 7, 2018, the anniversary of the bioethics law of July 7, 2011.
The interdepartmental work on drafting the bill should take place in parallel with the progress of the States General, in order to finalize it during the summer and submit it to parliament in the fall.
According to experts, all the results of the survey result from a decline in the influence of religion and a rise in individualism: everyone now wants to live their life and make their choices as they see fit.
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