Dignidade humana e o doente em fim de vida

: eutanásia e cuidados paliativos

Abstract

This study intends to be a reflection on themes such as human dignity and the end-of-life patient, associating concepts such as euthanasia and palliative care. It presents the problems of euthanasia, medically assisted death, and its development throughout history.In a brief observation of the world legal panorama, particularly of our Portuguese reality, legislative proposals and opinions about this practice are indicated, which are not always consensual, because it deals with sensitive issues such as the suffering caused by incurable diseases, the patient's autonomy, the power of decision in the terminal phase of life, especially the preference for the practice of medically assisted death. The Catholic Church, through its doctrine, fights for the defense of human life, its dignity in all situations, especially at its end. Based on Sacred Scripture and the Magisterium, it presents a Christian view of human life, recognizing in it a sacred reality. Therefore, it condemns practices such as euthanasia, and supports the loving and close care provided by palliative care. They are true instruments that provide a process of dying with all dignity.This is a descriptive-reflective study, which seeks to highlight, based on the existing literature review, especially in the documents of the Catholic Church, the importance of caring for the suffering person, until the end, contrasting practices such as euthanasia and palliative care.

Date of Award	10 Jan 2022
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Jerónimo Trigo (Supervisor)