Euthanasia and medically assisted suicide from the analysis of the Paraguayan legislation

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to analyze the legal framework of euthanasia and medically assisted suicide in the current national legislation. In this sense, the constitutional and conventional adequacy of the right to a dignified death will be assessed, as a clear manifestation of the right to life and dignity proclaimed in the Preamble of the National Constitution. In this regard, the study of the rights to life and human dignity, the relationship between euthanasia and conscientious objection, and finally the problems related to medical sciences and the approaches taken by health professionals will be taken into consideration as guidelines for the analysis. As for the method, the research is documentary, which allows a better examination of primary and secondary sources, with a qualitative approach to appreciate the rules that come into play in the approach to the problem, and it is of documentary type, for it appeals to bibliographic record as an instrument. It is concluded that for each particular case it must be studied -when requested- in consideration of the personal motives of the patient, who requires it, life expectancy, possibility of recovery and diagnosis of the treating physicians, as well as the characteristics of the disease and whether it violates the right to human dignity, especially when there are punishable conducts that are typified in the Penal Code.