The biowill is law. The definitive green light has arrived from the Senate Hall, where i yes there were 180, 71 no and 6 abstained. The text thus becomes state law and a great applause rose from the Chamber at the time of final approval.
The new law provides that, in compliance with the Constitution, no health treatment can be started or continued if the person concerned has no free and informed consent. The relationship of care and trust between patient and doctor is promoted and valued, whose founding act is informed consent and, if the patient so wishes, also his family members are involved in the care relationship.
As for minors 'the consent is expressed by the parents exercising parental responsibility or by the guardian or by the support administrator, taking into account the will of the minor person'.
Article 3 is also very important, which provides that "every adult person, capable of understanding and wanting, in anticipation of a possible future incapacity to self-determination, can, through Advance medical treatment provisions (Dat), expressing one's beliefs and preferences regarding health treatments, as well as consent or refusal with respect to diagnostic or therapeutic choices and individual health treatments, including artificial nutrition and hydration practices". The Dat, always revocable, are also binding for the doctor and "as a result - it is stated - he is exempt from civil or criminal liability".
“Le Dat – states the text of the law – must be drawn up by public deed or private deed, with signature authenticated by the notary or other public official or by a doctor employed by the National Health Service or affiliated with it. In the event that the physical conditions of the patient do not allow it, they can be expressed through video recording". In case of emergency or urgency, the bill also specifies, "the revocation can also take place orally in front of at least two witnesses".
The approval therefore puts an end to a debate that has been going on for decades and which has seen several news stories divide public opinion, from those of Enrico Englaro and Piergiorgio Welby to the much more recent one involving DJ Fabo. An important signal in the civil and political confrontation of the country, which saw a large majority converge on this somewhat historic law: in addition to all the center-left, the 5 Star Movement and part of the center-right voted in favor.
“From the Senate, green light to a choice of civilization. A step forward for the dignity of the person”, he commented Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni on Twitter, while the radical Emma Bonino welcomed the new law with particular emotion, bursting into tears. Strongly against the League and part of Forza Italia and the centrists who continue to consider the bio-will "adisguised euthanasia“. Sacconi and Giovanardi intervened, with provocative references to say the least and evoking risks “from the Thirties in Germany. That past can come back,” Giovanardi said.
