“临终关怀”的法律之维——法理基础、宪法依据与实体法规制

Viewpoint of Law on Hospice—— the Jurisprudence Basis,Constitutional According and Substantive Law Regulating of Hospice

临终关怀是对临终病人进行姑息性照护,而非治疗性照护,关注的是如何减少临终病人痛苦,不以延长生命为主要目的。现代人权理念的内在要求、社会契约论对弱势群体的当然保护、法的效益价值的现实体现,是临终关怀正当性的法理基础。临终关怀具有充分的宪法依据。临终关怀必须依法进行,以确保患者的权利不被剥夺。在刑法上,临终关怀属于"正当行为",但要防止以临终关怀为理由而实施的遗弃罪和不作为形式的故意杀人罪,同时防范其他犯罪。在民法上,要规范临终关怀的决定主体、实施条件和操作程序。

Hospice is a form of medical treatment which provide the patients with palliative care, rather than therapeutic care, and focused on how to reduce pain, rather than prolonging life . The inherent requirement of modern human rights idea, the properly protection for the vulnerable groups according to The Social Contract theory, and the beneficial value of law are the jurisprudence of hospice . Hospice has fully constitutional basis. Hospice must be operated legally in order to ensure the right of the patients. In criminal law, hospice belongs to ＂proper behavior＂, but we must prevent crimes of abandonment and the crime of homicide of negative form in the disguise of hospice, and prevent other crimes which maybe happened in the operation of hospice . In civil law, we should regulate decision subject , implement conditions and operating procedures of hospice.