Citation

Iovan M. Revista Romana de Bioetica 2011; 9(2): 109-121.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

The author analyzes the two thinking and action ways regarding the issue of legalizing euthanasia (E) and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) in respect of the dynamics of this practice in the European Union and North America. Far from reaching to an agreement, the ongoing controversies between the traditional Christian bioethics and the laic one focus on a number of themes: the principle of sacredness of human life; the impact of legalizing E and PAS; the pressure on terminally ill patients; the change in the social attitude towards death and towards the medical profession; the limits of a human's right to self-determination. The comparative analytical and synthetic approach leads to the conclusion that the ratio of influence on the public opinion between the two bioethical positions has shifted in favor of the laic one, which is also confirmed by the results of sociological survey conducted on a group formed by students and master candidates enrolled on study programmes in the field of law. The proliferation of E and PAS practices and the evolution of collective mentality and of the perception of civil society towards these practices confirm the extension of the point of view held by the secular bioethics and emphasize the opportunity of legalizing E and PAS.

Language: en

Keywords

Euthanasia; Physician-assisted suicide; Bioethics; Palliative medicine; Legalization