Overview
- The reform to decriminalize euthanasia was presented to Mexico’s Congress last week, and the Ley Trasciende proposal is expected to come up for discussion.
- Bioethicist Asunción Álvarez del Río distinguishes euthanasia as physician-administered death at a patient’s request from medically assisted suicide, in which the patient self-administers means provided by a clinician.
- The initiatives focus on mentally competent, terminal patients and outline that participation by doctors would be voluntary.
- Proponents seek legal protection so physicians who assist eligible patients are not prosecuted for homicide, emphasizing a framework that respects patient autonomy.
- Advocates cite limited access to palliative medicines and claim strong public support for legalization, while anticipating pushback from the Catholic Church and the PAN.