Euthanasia legalization as an option to a death in dignity. Experts debate on Delphi techniques

Abstract

The current study presents various opinions from different professional fields on the controversial topic arisen by the media on the legalization or no legalization of euthanasia, as an option to a death in dignity, requested in previous years by a person. Delphi techniques have been used. The participans in the survey are all professionals from various means: Sanitary professionals, Law professionals, Anthopologists, and Religious ones. After questionaries were answered, and results obtained, a final report was issued, and all the professionals reached a general agreement: euthanasia legalization would mean a social in- favour/ against debate, which would end in occasional social conflicts, unless performances and application in all cases is extremely well controlled. Even those professionals inclined to accept euthanasia only legally approved, feel that there is always a risk in the hundred per cent of the control. In that sense, their proposal is that a Medical-legal Committe would always act in all cases so therapeutic aggression is avoided. A valid, written vital will should be considered as the terminal ill patient last will.

Keywords

• Eutanasia
• Muerte digna
• Encarnizamiento terapéutico
• Testamento vital