EUTHANASIA IN BRAZIL: THE LIMIT BETWEEN THE RIGHT TO A DIGNIFIED DEATH AND THE BORDER OF BRAZILIAN LEGISLATION

Abstract

Euthanasia, understood as the intentional act of providing a quick and painless death to end the suffering of people who are in a terminal stage or have incurable diseases, represents one of the greatest ethical and legal challenges today. It is a highly complex, controversial, and polemical issue that has sparked numerous debates over the years, especially among healthcare and legal professionals. This paper aims to present, investigate, and question the boundaries between the right to a dignified death and the crime of homicide, taking into consideration the Brazilian legal context. In a scenario where the right to life is one of the pillars of the national legal system, it is necessary to study to what extent this right prevails over the patient’s autonomy to decide about their own life and death, considering respect for human dignity and individual freedom. The research examines the current legislation in the country, comparing it with international models from countries where euthanasia is already regulated under specific conditions. It also addresses the role of medicine in this process, highlighting aspects of medical responsibility, the views of legal scholars, and the possible social consequences of a potential legalization of the practice.