In a landmark constitutional move, Ecuador has decriminalized euthanasia after a legal challenge from a terminally ill patient. The decision, reported by AFP, marks the country as the second in Latin America to permit the procedure under specific conditions.
The constitutional court stated in its ruling that a doctor who carries out an active euthanasia procedure to uphold a patient’s right to a dignified life should not be punished with a murder conviction. Seven of the nine justices supported the decision, signaling broad judicial support for allowing physician-assisted end-of-life care in carefully defined cases.
The case centered on the experience of Paola Roldan, an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient who filed the lawsuit in August. ALS gradually weakens all voluntary muscles and can threaten breathing and swallowing, creating a situation where some patients seek a timely, lawful, and compassionate option to end intolerable suffering. Prior to the ruling, physicians who performed euthanasia could face prison terms ranging from 10 to 13 years, underscoring the legal risk doctors previously faced when offering this option.
Across the region, Colombia already decriminalized euthanasia in 1997. Debates continue in Uruguay and Chile, where lawmakers are weighing the balance between patient autonomy and protective safeguards. Mexico also allows the option for patients or families to refuse life-sustaining treatment, reflecting a broader, evolving conversation about end-of-life choices in the Americas.
Additionally, there has been ongoing scientific exploration into measures that influence the quality of life for elderly individuals. Research on sarcopenia prevention has highlighted strategies to reduce risk and help preserve functional independence for aging populations, contributing to a broader discussion about dignity, autonomy, and compassionate care at the end of life. (AFP)