The Law and Bioethics of End-of-Life Decisions in Argentina

Abstract

This report addresses how Argentine law regulates end-of-life bioethical and legal matters. To that end, I will present the general legal framework which applies to end-of-life decisions (section 2), making a distinction between the major principles involved (section 2.1) and the rules in the general framework for medical purposes and in connection with end-of-life decision-making (section 2.2). Then I will focus on the main guidelines of the Argentine legal system in connection with end-of-life matters, to wit: euthanasia (section 3.1), assisted suicide (section 3.2), treatment withdrawal (section 3.3), and palliative care (section 3.4). The next section will cover some specific topics, such as advance directives ( section 4.1 ), health care staff and end-of-life decision making (section 4.2), and conscientious objection (section 4.3). The report will finish with some conclusions.