EUTHANASIA IN SPAIN. JURIDICAL CONSEQUENCES

The debate about the euthanasia in Spain has been channelled by the showcase situation of the quadriplegic Ramon Sampedro, made recently famous by the movie << The Sea Inside >>, similar to the way that abortion was presented in the case Roe vs. Wade in the United States. Spanish legal system follows the continental system not the anglosaxon jurisprudence. For this reason, the case looks for the politic influence rather than the legal solution. Both Spanish and international legal decisions in Sampedro's case, were opposed to his desires but, in general, they did not attack the main reasons for which the State should not accept the basis for mercy killings. In Spain, the debate made effect in the Euthanasia Senatorial Commission, which decided globally against euthanasia and in the legislation concerning living wills, also opposed to the euthanasia. Due to the mass media pressure, especially the movies, discussion has gone on, with the ambiguous position of the current government regarding its possible legalization.