Eutanasia, suicidio asistido y principio del doble efecto: Réplica al profesor Rodolfo Figueroa

Abstract

The reason for this difference is that, in the fi rst two cases, the patient's death is intended as a means of pain relief; whereas, in the latter two, death is only a side effect of a medical act, an act justifi able if it is necessary to achieve a proportionate good. In a recent issue of this Journal, Professor Rodolfo Figueroa denied the soundness of the principle of double effect and maintained that all actions describedabove should be considered equivalent in law enforcement. Here, the author presents a reply to that argument, and also offers a justifi cation of the afore said principle's core, that is, the moral and legal relevance of the distinction between intended effects and foreseen side effects. (Rev Med Chile 2012; 140: 261-265).