Court Rules Disabled Patient Can be Starved to Death Against His Will

A French man who has been on life support for seven years can be taken off life support, according to the ruling of a European court. 

The BBC reports Vincent Lambert, 39, has been nourished through a feeding tube since a motorcycle accident in 2008. The European Court of Human rights decided that doctors can stop Lambert’s supply of food and water, despite the fact that Lambert is unable give consent to the ending of his life. 

According to Life News, Lambert is “in a state of minimal consciousness.” He was declared a vegetable last year.

The case was brought to court by Lambert’s wife, Rachel, and five of his siblings who believed he would not have wanted to continue to live in the state. Lambert’s parents and two other siblings, disagreed, arguing that he should be kept alive. 

Rachel Lambert said after the ruling, "There's no relief, no joy to express. We'd just like his will to be done.”

Publication date: June 9, 2015