French court rules to end care for comatose man

PARIS (AP) — France’s highest administrative body says doctors can stop feeding a man left comatose after a car accident six years ago, saying the man had made it clear beforehand that he did not want to be kept in a vegetative state.

Vincent Lambert’s family members disagree on whether to keep him alive artificially, and relatives opposed to withholding treatment have appealed to the European Court of Human Rights to take the case. The Council of State ruled Tuesday in favor of ending treatment.

Lambert’s case has drawn nationwide attention amid growing calls to legalize euthanasia. President Francois Hollande has said he wants it to be easier for some people with incurable illnesses to seek medical help to end their lives.

Euthanasia is currently legal in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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