Kontakt 2009, 11(1):257-265 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2009.043

Ethical and legal aspects of euthanasiaEticko - filozofické aspekty v péči o zdraví

Eva Prošková

1. lékařská fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, Ústav teorie a praxe ošetřovatelství a Ústav sociální medicíny a veřejného zdravotnictví

The target of the contribution was to summarize basic ethical problems concerning euthanasia and legal answers to these questions and thus, to bring a contribution to the topical social discussion revived by a proposal of a law by the senator Domšová. In addition to the description of the situation in the Czech Republic, it also deals with comparison of foreign legal arrangements. Ethical values are investigated from the standpoint of basic human rights as expressed in the constitutional basis of the Czech law. Particular situations associated with euthanasia sensu lato are differentiated and described, including assisted suicide, respecting formerly expressed will (refusal of life-saving treatment) or death as not intended (though if admitted) consequence of the treatment of pain. The work was elaborated by a method of the available literature research and internet sources, legal regulations and their drafts with the use of published and repeated investigations of the Centre for the Research of Public Opinions.

Keywords: euthanasia; healthcare ethics; healthcare right; human rights; assisted suicide; failure to render assistance

Received: October 6, 2008; Accepted: February 19, 2009; Published: May 27, 2009  Show citation