Bioethical analysis, legality of death in Ecuador
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Publicación 5. Vol 6. Num 3.1 (Español (España))
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Published:
Aug 30, 2023
Keywords:
bioethics; patient rights; human dignity; Euthanasia; death; life.
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Abstract
Introduction: The legality of assisted death is a controversial topic worldwide due to various bioethical aspects. While countries like Luxembourg and Canada have legalized euthanasia, improving the patient's quality of life, negative concerns have also emerged, such as the abandonment of palliative options. Objective: The main purpose of this study is to describe the various bioethical approaches both in favor and against assisted death in Ecuador. Methodology: This article is a descriptive bibliographic review, in which information was compiled from the last 5 years using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and MedRxiv. Bioethical approaches in favor of assisted death were addressed to alleviate patient symptoms and improve their quality of life. Results: The results indicate that in Ecuador, the constitution contemplates the right to life, so the decriminalization of death is a delicate issue. However, in other countries like the United States and Canada, the decision in favor of assisted death depends on the patient. Furthermore, Ecuador's Comprehensive Penal Code presents ambiguous laws on assisted death, with legal gaps that prevent its application in the health system. Conclusion: Even though the arguments for and against euthanasia are solid, the decision must be adapted to the patient's context and the health system. The need for clearer regulations is evident to avoid misinterpretations and potential abuses.
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Mercado González, A. F., León Pineda, C. F., & León Martínez, F. M. (2023). Bioethical analysis, legality of death in Ecuador. ConcienciaDigital, 6(3.1), 71-89. https://doi.org/10.33262/concienciadigital.v6i3.1.2660
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References
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Young, J. (2021). The discursive context of medical aid in dying: ¿A paradox of control? Soc Sci Med. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.11450
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Ashby, M. (2021). Goodbye Hippocrates? J Bioeth Inq. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-021-10115-1. PMID: 34324147
Ataz, G. (2021). ¿El final de la despenalización de la eutanasia como excepción en los ordenamientos europeos? https://repositorio.comillas.edu/x mlui/bitstream/handle/11531/47750/TFG%20-%20Gonzalez%20Ataz,%20Luci a.pdf?sequence=-1
Aznar, J. (2021). Opinion of physicians and the general population on the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Cuad Bioet. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ 33812362/
Calle, V. (2020). La vida digna en el proceso de muerte, prospección hacia la eutanasia y el suicidio medicamente asistido. Quito, EC: Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, Sede Ecuador.
Campbell, C. (2019). Mortal Responsibilities: Bioethics and Medical-Assisted Dying. Yale J Biol Med.
Carvajal, C. (2021). Clarifying concepts on euthanasia. Rev Med Chil. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ 35319640/
Colburn, B. (2022). Disability-based arguments against assisted dying laws. Bioethics. https://doi.org/10.1111/bioe.13036
Crusat, A. (2021). Conocimientos y actitudes de las enfermeras en torno a la eutanasia a nivel internacional y nacional. Enferm Clín. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcli. 2021.01.004
Dalfin, W. (2022). The right to die and assisted suicide: Review and critical analysis Encephale. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.encep.2021.04.013
Davis, D. (2022). Death in a Cold Climate: Medical Aid in Dying in Vermont. Hastings Cent Rep. https://doi.org/10.1002/hast.1340
Dugdale, A. (2019). Pros and Cons of Physician Aid in Dying. Yale J Biol Med.
Feijoo, V. (2021). Estudio médico- legal de la evolución legislativa de la eutanasia en España y en otros países. Universidad de Valladolid.
Fontalis, A. (2018). Euthanasia and assisted dying: what is the current position and what are the key arguments informing the debate? https://doi.org/10.1177/0141076818803452
Galiano, G. (2018). El derecho a la vida como derecho fundamental en el marco constitucional ecuatoriano. Especial referencia al aborto, la eutanasia y la pena de muerte. https://journalusco.edu.co/index. php/pielagus/article/view/1287
Gilbertson, L. (2023). Expanded terminal sedation in end-of-life care. J Med Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1136/jme-2022-108511
Guzmán, R. (2022). Suicidio médicamente asistido: ¿Cuál es el fundamento de su legalidad frente al derecho a la vida y muerte digna? https://hdl.handle.net/10901/23706
Haining, E. (2021). "I haven't had to bare my soul but now I kind of have to": describing how voluntary assisted dying conscientious objectors anticipated approaching conversations with patients in Victoria, Australia. BMC Med Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-021-00717-0
Hempton, C. (2021). "The Already Dying": The Emergence of Voluntary Assisted Dying in Victoria. J Bioeth Inq. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-021-10107-1
Hempton, C. (2021). Voluntary assisted dying in the Australian state of Victoria: an overview of challenges for clinical implementation. Ann Palliat Med. https://doi.org/10.21037/apm-20- 1157
Hetzler, A. (2019). A Report of Physicians' Beliefs about Physician-Assisted Suicide: A National Study. Yale J Biol Med.
Kirchhoffer, D. (2021). Public reasoning about voluntary assisted dying: An analysis of submissions to the Queensland Parliament, Australia. Bioethics. https://doi.org/10.1111/bioe.12777
Lorda, P. (2018). La eutanasia en Bélgica. Rev. Esp Salud Publica. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ 22991026/
Muñoz, G. (2018). La Eutanasia como Derecho de los enfermos terminales en el Ecuador. Quito: UCE.
Muñoz, G., y Marcelo, G. (2018). La Eutanasia como Derecho de los enfermos terminales en el Ecuador. Quito: UCE.
Oliver, P. (2022). Providing Legal Assisted Dying and Euthanasia Services in a Global Pandemic: Lessons for Ensuring Service Continuity. Omega. https://doi.org/10.1177/00302228221089120
Peralta, C. (2023). La Eutanasia pasiva frente a la posible vulneración a los derechos de libertad establecidos en la constitución de la república del Ecuador. Universidad Católica de Cuenca.
Petersen, W. (2023). Critique of autonomy-based arguments against legalising assisted dying. Bioethics. https://doi.org/10.1111/bioe.13125
Schuklenk, Q. (2022). Medical assistance in dying: Squabbles over the meaning of 'irremediable'. Bioethics. https://doi.org/10.1111/bioe.12987
Shadd, P. (2019). Institutional non- participation in assisted dying: Changing the conversation. Bioethics. https://doi.org/10.1111/bioe.12528
Silva, F. (2023). Caso belga de eutanásia en niños: ¿solução ou problema? Rev Bioét. https://www.scielo.br/j/bioet/a/93 JWysbg3SvrHVsDq7T4xGh/abst ract/?lang=es
Sumner, L. (2019). Institutional refusal to offer assisted dying: A response to Shadd and Shadd. Bioethics. https://doi.org/10.1111/bioe.12641
Thalía, C. (2021). Nivel de conocimiento en estudiantes de medicina sobre eutanasia y suicidio medicamente asistido. https://convencionsalud.sld.cu/index.php/convencionsalud22/2022/paper/viewFile/2502/1708
Trachsel, M. (2022). Suffering is not enough: Assisted dying for people with mental illness. Bioethics. https://doi.org/10.1111/bioe.13002
Tully, I. (2022). Depression and Physician-Aid-in-Dying. J Med Philos. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmp/jhac004
Ufredo, O. (2020). Conferencia “Fin de la vida: sobre la eutanasia, una vez más” YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=EAByeQIv6TM
Vaquero, A. (2019). La eutanacia en Bélgica y Luxemburgo. Dykinson.
Vissers, S. (2022). Assisted dying request assessments by trained consultants: changes in practice and quality - Repeated cross- sectional surveys (2008-2019). BMJ Support Palliat Care. https://doi.org/10.1136/spcare-2021- 003502
Winters, J. (2021). Eligibility for assisted dying: not protection for vulnerable people, but protection for people when they are vulnerable. J Med Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2021- 107794
Wojtulewicz, C. (2022). Analysing the Assisted Dying Bill debate 2021. New Bioeth. https://doi.org/10.1080/20502877.2022.2090652
Young, J. (2021). The discursive context of medical aid in dying: ¿A paradox of control? Soc Sci Med. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.11450
Zurriaráin, G. (2019). Social aspects of euthanasia. Cuad Bioet [Internet]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ 30742451/