Abstract

MANUEL BERTOLIN-GUILLEN, José. Euthanasia, assisted suicide, and psychiatry. Rev. Asoc. Esp. Neuropsiq. [online]. 2021, vol.41, n.140, pp.51-67.  Epub Mar 14, 2022. ISSN 2340-2733.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/s0211-57352021000200003.

At present, euthanasia is legally regulated in several countries in different continents. In Spain, it is regulated by the current organic law 3/2021. This work is a monographic and theoretical reflection study based on a wide and rigorous analysis of the law and the international biomedical literature, but it does not intend to be a bibliographic review in any way. According to the World Health Organization, the medical intervention is needed for any way of euthanasia to be possible as well as for assisted suicide and palliative sedation. From what the law says, the training on the sphere of the pathology in question is enough to be a consultant doctor. To be a certified specialist is not needed, so each consultant may consider at their discretion if they fulfil the qualification to be declared. Despite its important limitations, omissions and potentially controversial ambiguities, the law 3/2021 seems to be opportune, suitable in essence and basically non biased.

Keywords : euthanasia; assisted suicide; mental disorder; clinical psychology; legal medicine.

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