This volume gathers the contributions of leading researchers in the fields of bioethics, medical law and human rights. By providing an interdisciplinary reading of advance directives regulation against the background of European and International law, this book aims to offer new insights into the most controversial legal issues surrounding the theme of dignity and autonomy at the end of life. Cross-cultural perspectives from Europe, the Americas, Australia and China offer a comparative analysis of legal approaches to end-of-life decision-making and care, including the hotly debated issues of euthanasia and assisted suicide, also giving an account of recent developments in domestic legislation and jurisprudence. Special focus is placed on the Italian legal system and its ongoing discussion on advance directives regulation.
Stefania Negri, Ph.D., Associate Professor of International Law and of International Human Rights Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Salerno, is the founder and director of the âObservatory on Human Rights: Bioethics, Health, Environmentâ, a network of academic experts promoting international cooperation in teaching and research. She has published extensively on international human rights law, international health law and international procedural law.
"The collection draws together a wealth of crossjurisdictional information on the traditional debates relating to end-of-life issues and the comparatively recent question of advance directives and their regulation." - Mandeep Dyal, Birmingham Law School, Cornwall Street Chambers, Birmingham, in: Medical Law Review (Advance Access, published July 10, 2012) [DOI: 10.1093/medlaw/fws020]
III. THE ONGOING DEBATE ON ADVANCE DIRECTIVES REGULATION IN ITALY
Exploring Self-Determination and Informed Consent in Advance Directives in Light of the Italian Legal System, Vitulia Ivone
Non-Negotiability of Ethical Values and Constitutional Democracy, Francesco Mancuso
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in the Italian Criminal Code and in the Draft Law on âAdvance Treatment Directives, Maria Elena Castaldo
The Interface between End-of-Life Care and Religious Rights: Legislation of a Christian or a Secular State?, Giuseppe DâAngelo
Annex:
Italian Draft Bill on âDispositions in Matter of Therapeutic Alliance, Informed Consent and Advance Treatment Directivesâ
Notes on Contributors
Index
All those interested in international and national biomedical law and human rights law, including post-graduate students, academics, lawyers, health care professionals and practitioners, health policy makers.