Italy passes controversial end-of-life bill

After 30 years and 3000 attempts to propose amendments, an end-of-life bill was passed by the Italian Parliament this week which allows patients to end their lives by refusing to and drink. It also allows patients to express binding end-of-life care wishes through a text or a video. The new legislation does not permit assisted suicide or euthanasia. However, it is clearly a momentous step in that direction. "Of course, we are still missing the legalization of euthanasia that we'll propose to the next parliament," said Marco Cappato, a spokesman for the right-to-die movement. The law was passed by a vote of 180 to 71. -- More...