Análisis ético y médico-legal de la eutanasia en la unión europea

Abstract

In this paper we study the legalization of euthanasia in Europe, we have many differences depending on each country: Currently in Spain we can say that neither euthanasia nor assisted suicide are legalized , and its practice can be held criminally liable. Holland was the first country to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in 2002 , as in Belgium which is also the first country to legalize the practice of euthanasia on children of any age , and euthanasia was also legalized in Luxembourg in2009 and assisted suicide is legal in in Switzerland even for non-residents. Assisted suicide is penalised in Germany, in France there exists a Leonetti Law Act for terminally patients from 2005, in Italy as well as in Portugal there is a law on the biological or living will . And the UK country, which is the founding country of palliative care , is one of the strongest places now against assisted suicide. In the vast majority of American states ( in 34 specifically) assisted suicide is prohibited , being legal in only three of its states . Oregon State in1997 , State of Washington in 2008 and in the State of Montana in 2009. We think that we should invest in policies which, even though they are less economical, they can as well promote the development of palliative care ( " care not killing" ) to help with pain and suffering : bring dignity to life and not to death.