“PROVISIONS ON VOLUNTARY MEDICALLY ASSISTANCE IN DYING” BILL: REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE BILL FROM THE HISTORICAL, ETHICAL, AND LEGAL PERSPECTIVE CONCERNING EUTHANASIA IN THE CURRENT ITALIAN AND EUROPEAN CONTEXT

Abstract

Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide have been controversial topics over the last few years both in the medical-health and ethical-legal fields. The restriction on these practices is an issue since it limits the right to self-determination at the point of death. After discussing the historical and ethical changes of euthanasia and analyzing the current European situation, the authors approach the "voluntary medical assistance in dying” bill with a focus on the Italian regulation enforced. The legislative approach in each European state is very different with respect to which some states have been allowing these practices for decades and others have not yet drawn up any bill on the subject. In conclusion, although the Italian bill is certainly a step forward, it is crucial that the government speeds up the approval of the law to allow individuals to exercise the freedom of choice even at the point of death.

Keywords

• active euthanasia
• withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment
• physician-assisted suicide
• bioethics