A Fight for Dignity: Chilean Activist Takes On Euthanasia Debate Amid Increasing Public Support
Persons with Muscular Dystrophy Faces Ethical Controversy Over Euthanasia Advocacy
Updated: 2023
Susana Moreira, a 41-year-old Chilean living with degenerative muscular dystrophy, is bringing the contentious issue of euthanasia to the forefront of Chilean politics.
Having spent the past two decades bedridden, she yearns for the day when she can peacefully end her life if and when the time comes. However, euthanasia is currently illegal in Chile.
Moreira has become a vocal advocate for Chile's euthanasia debate, hoping to see progress in the legislation during President Gabriel Boric's final year in office.
In April 2021, the Chamber of Deputies of Chile approved a bill allowing euthanasia and assisted suicide for those aged 18 and over with terminal or "serious and incurable" illnesses. But since then, the initiative has stalled in the Senate.
A Personal Plea
Diagnosed with shoulder-girdle muscular dystrophy at age eight, Moreira spends her days playing video games, reading, and watching Harry Potter movies, her outings limited due to the intense pain that restricts her mobility.
As her condition progresses, Moreira feels a sense of urgency to speak out, sharing her daily struggles in a letter she penned to Boric last year. The president made the letter public to congress and pledged that passing the euthanasia bill would be a priority for his administration.
However, political upheavals have since relegated the social agenda to the background. Moreira's hopes remain sensitive to the uncertainties that come with living with a terminal illness.
"A sick person isn't certain of anything; the only certainty they have is that they will suffer," Moreira laments. "Knowing that I have the opportunity to choose, gives me peace of mind."
A Nation's Shift
Euthanasia has been a topic of debate in Chile for over a decade, with the idea initially met with skepticism due to the nation's predominantly Catholic population and religious influences. In 2014, Chilean Representative Vlado Mirosevic presented a bill for euthanasia and assisted dying, causing widespread concern.
Yet, with recent surveys showing strong public support for euthanasia in Chile—75 percent according to Cadem and 89 percent according to the Center for Public Studies—the conversations are becoming more inclusive.
Striking a Balance
Boric's commitment to the euthanasia bill resonates with individuals such as Fredy Maureira, a father who advocates for the right of terminally ill patients to choose when they die. His 14-year-old daughter, Valentina, went viral in 2015 after appealing for euthanasia, ultimately passing away from cystic fibrosis complications without the option.
Despite growing public support, opposition remains, particularly among health professionals. Irene Munoz Pino, a nurse, academic, and advisor to the Chilean Scientific Society of Palliative Nursing, suggests that strengthening palliative care infrastructure should come before discussing euthanasia laws.
Meanwhile, psychologist Monica Giraldo worries that the absence of a legal medical option for assisted dying could drive individuals to seek riskier, unsupervised alternatives, potentially leading to undocumented suicides.
The future of Chile's euthanasia bill remains uncertain, weaving together personal appeals, shifting public opinions, and political considerations. Whether it will find a path forward amid growing support and pressing healthcare access concerns only time will tell.
Enrichment Data:
The euthanasia and assisted dying bill in Chile's Senate is currently stalled despite growing public support. This stagnation is influenced by factors such as political prioritization, public opinion shifts, advocacy and opposition dynamics, and implementation challenges.
The 2021 bill, based on personal autonomy and dignity for terminally ill patients, faces criticism from some health professionals who argue for stronger palliative care infrastructure first.
The 2022 law guaranteeing palliative care may impact the timeline and scope of broader end-of-life policies, causing debate over the priority of access and support for terminally ill patients before legalizing euthanasia.
- Susana Moreira, a 41-year-old Chilean living with degenerative muscular dystrophy, is persistently debating the contentious issue of euthanasia in Chilean politics.
- As a vocal advocate for euthanasia, Moreira has been expressing her hopes to progress legislation during President Gabriel Boric's final year in office.
- In April 2021, a bill allowing euthanasia and assisted suicide for those aged 18 and over with terminal or serious and incurable illnesses was approved by the Chamber of Deputies of Chile, but it has since stalled in the Senate.
- Moreira has written a personal plea to President Boric, outlining her daily struggles and urging him to prioritize the euthanasia bill.
- The support for euthanasia in Chile has been growing, with recent surveys showing 75 percent support according to Cadem and 89 percent according to the Center for Public Studies.
- Despite the growing support, opposition remains, particularly among health professionals who argue for stronger palliative care infrastructure before discussing euthanasia laws.
- The future of Chile's euthanasia bill is uncertain, with factors such as political prioritization, public opinion shifts, advocacy and opposition dynamics, and implementation challenges shaping its outcome.
