Morte digna: as diretivas antecipadas de vontade como um instrumento de proteção da autonomia individual no final da vida

Abstract

The present work consists of a bibliographic review based on Brazilian literary references that deal with the problems that permeate the construction of a right to a dignified death and the main institutes that surround it, such as euthanasia, assisted suicide, dysthanasia and orthothanasia. With the objective of understanding this theme in a broad and objective way, elucidations were made about important subjects that pervade the problem that involves the discussion of the theme in Brazil, such as autonomy, human dignity and informed consent. In addition, the alternatives sought in situations where one wishes to have the right to individual self-determination respected even when there is no full capacity for manifestation in an endof-life situation were addressed. Such alternatives were explored through documents called advance directives of will and their species. The issue of medically assisted death from a global perspective was also presented, briefly addressing all the countries where it is practiced and citing some peculiarities that stand out in this context. Finally, the theme was approached from the national normative perspective, bringing the resolutions and bills that deal with the theme and that are being processed in the National Congress. In fact, it is a subject in constant evolution, which is already present in the legislation of several countries, as well demonstrated in the present work, and in documentaries, films and books, making it essential to expand the discussions on the subject in agenda in Brazilian territory. Such a bibliographical review proved to be relevant to bring up how the Brazilian legal system deals with the end of life situation and what are the possibilities in the Brazilian territory, as well as to broaden the reflection on the subject, since death is an inherent process of every human being.