Eutanásia: crime contra a vida ou direito fundamental? O direito de escolher

• Ano de defesa: 2012
• Autor(a) principal: Pimentel, Danielle Cortez
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Tipo de acesso: Acesso aberto
• Idioma: por
• Palavras-chave em Português: Direitos fundamentais; Eutanásia; Princípios constitucionais
• Link de acesso: http://www.repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/12593

This paper discusses whether it is appropriate or not, in accordance with national constitutional principles, to frame the practice of euthanasia as a crime against life - more precisely, such as privileged homicide - according to the Brazilian Penal Law. Emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinarity inherent in the subject, concepts essential to the understanding of matter (such as dysthanasia, orthothanasia, assisted suicide and, especially, the one that refers to the euthanistic own conduct, the central object of this study) were searched from other areas of knowledge such as Biology, Medicine, Bioethics and Biolaw, among others, to support adequately the discussion. In this vein, the research also faces the problem of determining the moment of death, according to medical and cultural criteria. Once exposed these definitions, not embraced by the legal science, but essential to the study of the topic from the legal point of view, the paper analyses euthanasia under the sharper focus of the national law. First, it examines the treatment given, historically, to brain death by the Brazilian legislation. After that, some theories about the possible legal regulation of euthanasia by Brazilian Penal Code are discussed. As a consequence, the research confronts the clash that is indeed the cornerstone of the proposed discussion: the right to life versus the right to freedom of self-determination, as a corollary of the principle of human dignity. Then, the study questions the possibility of disposal of the right to life, in certain circumstances - defined in the course of the analysis - where human dignity is threatened. It also discusses, albeit briefly, the legal treatment given to euthanasia in some other countries, noting that, in general, euthanasia has been gaining more attention in the international arena and, therefore, a special legal regulation. Then, it examines euthanasia from the point of view of Bioethics and Biolaw, inferring the compliance of the institute to their principles. Finally, passing to the conclusion, it speaks about the legitimacy of the practice of euthanasia in accordance with the constitutional principles applicable in the country, especially on grounds of human dignity, principle which is also foundation of the Federative Republic of Brazil, according to the 1988 Constitution, defending not only its decriminalization, but also and mainly - as a consequence of a systemic interpretation of the current national legal system and according to the Constitution - the theory that euthanasia should be accepted as part of the list of fundamental rights of terminally ill patients, stricken with incurable disease, with intolerable physical or mental suffering - without possibility of relief with any regular medical care available – who wish, upon request and valid consent, to anticipate the moment of his death by medical act, legally disposing of their right to life due to the preservation of their dignity.