THE SEA INSIDE: EU-THANASIA?. REFLECTIONS FROM A NURSE’S POINT OF VIEW.

Abstract

The films "The sea inside " and " Million dollar baby", both Oscar winners, have revived the public debate about euthanasia. This document present its argument and analyze them along with cases of extensive news coverage, like that of Terri Schiavo, to emphasize the clear differences between them from a semantic, behavioural and legal analysis. Sociodemografic and cultural transformations that is changing ways of dying, is emphasised, making it more technical and transferring the responsibility to the health professionals at this vital time, primarily to the doctors, in a sequence of transferral of responsibility from one professional to another. An analysis of current legislation relative to the decision making at the end of the life is made, and arguments for the defence of and the respect for the wishes of those who want choose when to die, as opposed to having others choose for them. The possibility of bringing light to these situations by means documents from previous instructions compared with previous experiences of others countries, as well as the possible role the nursing professional could carry out in such situations. Finally, the necessity of a deep cultural change to pay greater respect to the decisions of terminally ill patients and to really stamp down on the paternalists attitudes that limit the possibility of dialogue between the health professionals and their interlocutors.