End-of-life decisions in Italy: an overview of the current situation

This contribution analyzes end-of-life decisions in Italy. Its aim is to report the complex situation in end-of-life decisions. The scientific work applies an interdisciplinary approach by taking into consideration the position of the medical and biomedical communities. In addition, it examines the perspective of the jurisprudence and of the parliament. The investigation of all these parties is fundamental since Italy is one of the few Western European countries that does not have an ad hoc law ruling advance directives. After a complete and comprehensive study of the standpoint taken by the medical and biomedical communities, in addition to the position taken by the Italian law-maker, this contribution underlines the significance of the role of the jurisprudence. In the conclusions, the author underlines the significance of a specific law governing advance directives since it will end the contrasts between these different communities in addition to provide legal certainty.