France's National Assembly Removes Right to Sue for Wrongful Birth

PARIS, Jan 10, 02 (CWNews.com) - France's National Assembly approved a bill on Thursday that would overturn a high court ruling that said a severely handicapped boy could sue a doctor for wrongful birth.

The country's highest appeals court ruled last year that the boy and his parents could sue their doctor because he did not diagnose his birth defects and give them the option of abortion. The ruling sparked outrage and debate with advocates for the disabled and pro-life groups slamming the decision. Doctors feared they would have to actively encourage pregnant women to have abortions rather than risk lawsuits. Others said they would refuse to perform pre-natal screenings altogether.

The Assembly voted Thursday to overturn the court's ruling, which was twice upheld in lower courts, by adopting a bill that states "no one can sue for damages for the sole fact of their birth." It must now be considered by the Senate.

Catholic World News Service - Daily News Briefs
10. januar 2002