Situación Legal y Ética de la Eutanasia en el Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction: Euthanasia is the intentional death of a patient at their free request because of a catastrophic, incurable, and painful disease. This issue has caused a series of contradictions regarding the right to die with dignity and the autonomy of terminally ill patients, causing unnecessary suffering.

Literature Review: The human being has raised the ideology of the "right to die with dignity", a common argument reflected by terminally ill patients suffering from refractory symptoms. Euthanasia is presented as a compensatory mechanism against these eventualities, being restricted in countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and certain states in North America that only allow assisted suicide; however, in Ecuador, this situation changed about four months ago due to the case of Paola Roldan, where euthanasia was legalized in our country by ruling 67-23-IN/24 resolved on February 5th, 2024. They seek the patient's welfare based on ethical principles such as autonomy, justice, beneficence, and non-maleficence. The Patient Protection Law and the Organic Law of Health support them.

Conclusion: The ethical situation of euthanasia in Ecuador reflects a diversity of arguments both for and against that continue to be debated. Legally, the prohibition of the right to a dignified death has been excluded, and the practice is currently regulated and permitted.