THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE RIGHT TO LIFE AND THE SILENT PRACTICES OF EUTHANASIA: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This article sought to analyze the legal implications of euthanasia in relation to the right to life and individual liberty. focusing on understanding the ethical, social and legal challenges surrounding the practice in the Brazilian context. To this end, a literature review was used covering 14 studies that address euthanasia from different perspectives, such as civil, criminal and bioethical aspects, as well as its implications for human dignity and patient autonomy. The methodology included the analysis of national and international publications, exploring concepts such as dignified death and the contrast with assisted suicide, in addition to evaluating the legal provisions and jurisprudential interpretation of euthanasia in Brazil. The main results indicated that, while euthanasia remains criminalized in the country, there is a growing debate about the need for regulation to ensure informed and humane decisions in contexts of irreversible suffering. Significant resistance influenced by cultural and religious factors was also observed, which hinders progress on the topic. It is concluded that an ethical and judicious regulatory framework can be essential to ensure the balance between the protection of life, human dignity and the individual freedom of patients, promoting a more inclusive and continuous debate on the subject in Brazil.