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Studies on life, human dignity and law José María Puyol Montero (Coordinador) Dignidad humana, vida y derecho

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José María Puyol Montero (Coordinador)

Studies on life, human dignity and law Dignidad humana, vida y derecho

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On the 24th, 25th and 26th of September 2015 two seminars organized by RCC Research Group “Studies on Life and Human Dignity” were held at Harvard University. Both seminars gathered well-renowned professors from different fields of science from European and American universities. The aim was to study and analyze the concept of human dignity in life and at the time of death, and some of its manifestations and potential threats in today’s world. In the last decades, a spectacular development in the diverse fields of science, economy, and trade and communications has taken place in society. These advances in human progress, as laudable as they may be, sometimes do not effectively correspond to parallel recognition of every man and woman’s human dignity. In fact, in many cases, this progress results in a series of contradictions and possible dangers. This book brings together a selection of papers presented at those seminars regarding the big issue of human dignity and law.

Los días 24, 25 y 26 de septiembre de 2015 hubo en la Universidad de Harvard dos seminarios organizados por el RCC Research Group ‘Studies on Life and Human Dignity’, con la participación de prestigiosos profesores de universidades europeas y americanas. El objetivo era estudiar el concepto de la dignidad de la vida humana en la vida y en el momento de la muerte, y algunas de sus manifestaciones y posibles amenazas en nuestro mundo actual. En las últimas décadas ha tenido lugar un espectacular desarrollo en la sociedad en los campos de la ciencia, de la economía, del comercio o en las comunicaciones. Estos avances en el progreso humano, tan loables, en ocasiones no se corresponden con un reconocimiento paralelo efectivo de la dignidad de la vida humana. Muchas veces el progreso lleva anejo un elenco de contradicciones e incluso de serios peligros. El presente libro recoge una selección de las ponencias allí presentadas, relativas al gran tema de la dignidad humana y el derecho.

STUDIES ON LIFE, HUMAN DIGNITY AND LAW DIGNIDAD HUMANA, VIDA Y DERECHO Seminars at Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard University September 24-26, 2015 Seminarios en el Real Colegio Complutense en la Universidad de Harvard 24-26 de septiembre de 2015

COMITÉ CIENTÍFICO DE LA EDITORIAL TIRANT LO BLANCH María José Añón Roig

Catedrática de Filosofía del Derecho de la Universidad de Valencia

Ana Belén Campuzano Laguillo

Catedrática de Derecho Mercantil de la Universidad CEU San Pablo

Jorge A. Cerdio Herrán

Catedrático de Teoría y Filosofía de Derecho Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México

José Ramón Cossío Díaz Ministro de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de México

Owen M. Fiss

Catedrático emérito de Teoría del Derecho de la Universidad de Yale (EEUU)

Luis López Guerra

Juez del Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos Catedrático de Derecho Constitucional de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Ángel M. López y López Catedrático de Derecho Civil de la Universidad de Sevilla

Marta Lorente Sariñena

Catedrática de Historia del Derecho de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

Javier de Lucas Martín

Catedrático de Filosofía del Derecho y Filosofía Política de la Universidad de Valencia

Víctor Moreno Catena

Catedrático de Derecho Procesal de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Francisco Muñoz Conde

Catedrático de Derecho Penal de la Universidad Pablo de Olavide de Sevilla

Angelika Nussberger

Jueza del Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos Catedrática de Derecho Internacional de la Universidad de Colonia (Alemania)

Héctor Olasolo Alonso

Catedrático de Derecho Internacional de la Universidad del Rosario (Colombia) y Presidente del Instituto Ibero-Americano de La Haya (Holanda)

Luciano Parejo Alfonso

Catedrático de Derecho Administrativo de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Tomás Sala Franco

Catedrático de Derecho del Trabajo y de la Seguridad Social de la Universidad de Valencia

José Ignacio Sancho Gargallo Magistrado de la Sala Primera (Civil) del Tribunal Supremo de España

Tomás S. Vives Antón

Catedrático de Derecho Penal de la Universidad de Valencia

Ruth Zimmerling

Catedrática de Ciencia Política de la Universidad de Mainz (Alemania)

Procedimiento de selección de originales, ver página web: www.tirant.net/index.php/editorial/procedimiento-de-seleccion-de-originales

STUDIES ON LIFE, HUMAN DIGNITY AND LAW DIGNIDAD HUMANA, VIDA Y DERECHO Seminars at Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard University September 24-26, 2015 Seminarios en el Real Colegio Complutense en la Universidad de Harvard 24-26 de septiembre de 2015

Coordinador

José-María Puyol Montero Autores César Nombela Martin Buijsen Rafael Caballero Sánchez Santiago Cañamares Arribas Esther Cuerda Galindo Álvaro Gándara del Castillo María Luisa Gómez Jiménez

Michael Hawking Etienne Montero Javier Puyol Montero José-María Puyol Montero José-Antonio Santos Arnaiz Eduardo de Urbano Castrillo

Valencia, 2017

Copyright ® 2017 Todos los derechos reservados. Ni la totalidad ni parte de este libro puede reproducirse o transmitirse por ningún procedimiento electrónico o mecánico, incluyendo fotocopia, grabación magnética, o cualquier almacenamiento de información y sistema de recuperación sin permiso escrito de los autores y del editor.

En caso de erratas y actualizaciones, la Editorial Tirant lo Blanch publicará la pertinente corrección en la página web www.tirant.com.

Patrocinadores: Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard University; Institute for Global Law and Policy (Harvard Law School); Universidad Rey Juan Carlos; Harvard Law School Criminal Justice Program of Study, Research, and Advocacy; Abigail Adams Institute; RCC Study Group ‘Studies on Life and Human Dignity’.

© José-María Puyol Montero

© TIRANT LO BLANCH EDITA: TIRANT LO BLANCH C/ Artes Gráficas, 14 - 46010 - Valencia TELFS.: 96/361 00 48 - 50 FAX: 96/369 41 51 Email:tlb@tirant.com www.tirant.com Librería virtual: www.tirant.es ISBN: 978-84-9119-635-8 MAQUETA: Tink Factoría de Color

Si tiene alguna queja o sugerencia, envíenos un mail a: atencioncliente@tirant.com. En caso de no ser atendida su sugerencia, por favor, lea en www.tirant.net/index.php/empresa/politicas-de-empresa nuestro procedimiento de quejas.

Seminars/Seminarios: “Human Dignity and Law” (24 septiembre 2015, Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard University) “Dignity in Life and Death” (25-26 septiembre 2015, Harvard Law School).

Location/Lugar de celebración: Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA).

Table of contents Índice Prologue................................................................................................................ 13 Prólogo.................................................................................................................. 15 Introduction........................................................................................................... 17 Introducción.......................................................................................................... 21

LA DIGNIDAD HUMANA COMO FUENTE ATRIBUTIVA DE DERECHOS FUNDAMENTALES NO FORMALIZADOS Rafael Caballero Sánchez

I. EL DRAMA DE LA DIGNIDAD HUMANA COMO CATEGORÍA JURÍDICA. 25 II. LA POLÉMICA SOBRE EL ESTATUS JURÍDICO DE LA DIGNIDAD...... 27 III. EL RETO: LA DIGNIDAD HUMANA COMO ASIENTO DE DERECHOS FUNDAMENTALES NO RECONOCIDOS POSITIVAMENTE.................. 28 IV. ALGUNOS RESULTADOS............................................................................ 29 1. El derecho a un mínimo vital o existencial............................................. 30 2. Los derechos derivados de la autonomía del paciente.......................... 36 3. El derecho a un trato digno de las personas pertenecientes a colectivos en especial posición de vulnerabilidad............................................. 39 4. La dignidad como límite no traspasable por otros derechos fundamentales.................................................................................................... 42 V. ALGUNAS VALORACIONES FINALES....................................................... 43

DIGNIDAD Y POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS: EL DERECHO ADMINISTRATIVO EN LA ENCRUCIJADA María Luisa Gómez Jiménez

I. HACIA LA RECONSTRUCCIÓN DE LA NOCIÓN DE DIGNIDAD HUMANA EN EL DERECHO ADMINISTRATIVO ESPAÑOL......................... 46 II. PROPUESTA DE INTEGRACIÓN NORMATIVA DE LA DIGNIDAD EN LAS POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS SECTORIALES EN ESPAÑA: UN APUNTE.. 53 1. El Derecho Administrativo español ante la encrucijada del ejercicio del derecho a una vivienda digna y adecuada........................................ 53 2. El Derecho Administrativo ante la encrucijada de la dignidad de las políticas sociales: del umbral de la pobreza y las estadísticas oficiales.. 55 3. El Derecho Administrativo de la Bioética y el respeto a la dignidad humana: una frontera infranqueable?.................................................... 57 III. CONCLUSIONES.......................................................................................... 58 IV. BIBLIOGRAFÍA.............................................................................................. 59

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LOS VALORES DE LA ÉTICA Y LA TECNOLOGÍA: ESPECIAL REFERENCIA A LA PRIVACIDAD Y A LA INTIMIDAD Javier Puyol Montero

I. INTRODUCCIÓN.......................................................................................... 64 II. LA PRIVACIDAD Y EL DESARROLLO TECNOLÓGICO.......................... 71

THE DEATH PENALTY IN NINETEENTH CENTURY SPAIN José-María Puyol Montero

I. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................... 88 II. SOME CONSIDERATIONS REFERRING TO THE DEATH PENALTY IN SPAIN IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.................................................. 91 III. TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE DEATH PENALTY IN NINETEENTH CENTURY SPAIN........................................................................................... 96

PHILOSOPHY OF LAW, LANGUAGE AND «EUTHANASIA» IN NAZI GERMANY José-Antonio Santos

I. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................... 111 II. POLITICAL AND LEGAL CONTEXT......................................................... 112 III. NAZI LAWS ON BASIS OF A PERVERSE LEGAL LANGUAGE................. 117 IV. LAW ON STERILIZATION DURING THE NAZI PERIOD........................ 119 V. «EUTHANASIA»: THE END OF THE PROCESS........................................ 121 VI. CONCLUSION............................................................................................... 125

VÍCTIMAS DE LA EUTANASIA NAZI COMO OBJETOS DE INVESTIGACIÓN Y DOCENCIA Esther Cuerda Galindo

I. INTRODUCCIÓN.......................................................................................... 127 II. QUIÉNES FUERON LAS VÍCTIMAS............................................................ 133 III. LOS MOTIVOS............................................................................................... 135 IV. QUIÉNES FUERON LOS PERPETRADORES............................................. 137 V. CONCLUSIONES.......................................................................................... 142 VI. BIBLIOGRAFÍA.............................................................................................. 143

EUTANASIA Y CUIDADOS PALIATIVOS EN EL SISTEMA DE SALUD ESPAÑOL Álvaro Gándara del Castillo

I. INTRODUCCIÓN.......................................................................................... 148 II. DEFINICIONES Y CONCEPTOS EN TORNO AL FINAL DE LA VIDA.... 150 III. SITUACIÓN DE LA EUTANASIA EN ESPAÑA........................................... 156 IV. SITUACIÓN DE LOS CUIDADOS PALIATIVOS EN ESPAÑA................... 158

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EUTANASIA EN EUROPA: REGULACIÓN PENAL Y EL CASO ESPAÑOL, EN PARTICULAR Eduardo de Urbano Castrillo

I. INTRODUCCIÓN.......................................................................................... 163 II. REGULACIÓN PENAL DE LA EUTANASIA EN EUROPA........................ 165 III. LA LEGISLACIÓN PENAL ESPAÑOLA....................................................... 169 IV. CONCLUSIONES.......................................................................................... 171

AUTONOMY, DIGNITY, AND CULTURE: REFLECTIONS ON EUTHANASIA IN BELGIUM AND THE NETHERLANDS Michael Hawking

I. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................... 175 II. AUTONOMY.................................................................................................. 177 III. DIGNITY......................................................................................................... 179 IV. CULTURE....................................................................................................... 181

EUTHANASIA: LAW AND PRACTICE IN BELGIUM Etienne Montero

I. SHORT PRESENTATION OF THE BELGIAN ACT ON EUTHANASIA (2002).............................................................................................................. 184 1. Overview of the legal requirements......................................................... 184 2. Control mechanism.................................................................................. 185 II. SOME DATA AND LESSONS ON THE PRACTICE AND CONTROL OF EUTHANASIA................................................................................................ 186 1. About the reliability of the control mechanism...................................... 186 2. The requirement of a serious and incurable disorder........................... 189 3. The requirement of physical or mental suffering.................................. 190 4. Heath care institution’s freedom............................................................. 194 5. Extension of the law to minors................................................................ 196 6. Others evolutions...................................................................................... 197 7. What about the future?............................................................................ 200 III. SOME CONCLUSIONS FROM BELGIAN EXPERIENCE.......................... 201

EUTHANASIA: LAW & PRACTICE IN THE NETHERLANDS Martin Buijsen

I. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................... 203 II. HISTORY........................................................................................................ 204 1. Eindhovense arts....................................................................................... 204 2. Postma....................................................................................................... 205 3. Schoonheim.............................................................................................. 205 4. Chabot....................................................................................................... 206 5. Brongersma............................................................................................... 207 6. Law for and by physicians......................................................................... 208

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7. Notification procedure............................................................................. 209 III. THE LAW & THE FACTS.............................................................................. 210 1. Criminal Code........................................................................................... 210 2. Euthanasia Act.......................................................................................... 211 3. The facts.................................................................................................... 212 IV. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS.......................................................................... 213 1. Euthanasia, psychiatry & hopeless suffering........................................... 214 2. Euthanasia, dementia & unbearable suffering....................................... 215 3. Completed lives......................................................................................... 216 4. End-of-Life Clinic...................................................................................... 220 V. SOME REFLECTIONS................................................................................... 222 VI. CONCLUDING REMARKS........................................................................... 224

LA EVOLUCIÓN DEL DERECHO A LA MUERTE DIGNA EN LA JURISPRUDENCIA OCCIDENTAL Santiago Cañamares Arribas

I. INTRODUCCIÓN.......................................................................................... 228 II. LA POSICIÓN DEL TRIBUNAL DE ESTRASBURGO................................ 229 III. LA POSICIÓN DEL TRIBUNAL SUPREMO CANADIENSE...................... 236 1. Rodríguez v. Attorney General................................................................. 236 2. Carter v. Canada (Attorney General)...................................................... 238 IV. CONSIDERACIONES FINALES.................................................................... 241 V. BIBLIOGRAFÍA.............................................................................................. 244

ANNEX ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED OR SPONSORED BY RCC STUDY GROUP «STUDIES ON LIFE AND HUMAN DIGNITY» ANEXO CON LAS ACTIVIDADES ORGANIZADAS O PATROCINADAS POR EL RCC STUDY GROUP «STUDIES ON LIFE AND HUMAN DIGNITY» RCC STUDY GROUP «STUDIES ON LIFE AND HUMAN DIGNITY»....... 247

Prologue Human life cannot be merely understood as an abstract concept as it makes reference to the existence of each and every one who makes part of what is known as the species; the human species of which we, naturally, know more about. Moreover, as a species equipped with knowledge and understanding, man’s knowledge of his own origins has deepened since his beginnings roughly 150.000 years ago when the species emerged as part of a biological evolution which bonds it to the biosphere. Even there is much more underneath the surface, Darwin’s views on the evolution of man could make sense scientifically. However, it is equally accepted to hypothesize that process which led to the appearance of man does not imply determinism. As Von Herder referred to man as the first to become liberated from creation, one can assume that the rise of the human being represents a starting point rather than a predetermined end or the culmination of all just as one ponders over the significance of human life beyond its own materiality.

It is very accurate to state that the biological evolution which is home to our species was followed by something very specific, a cultural evolution which no other species benefits from. Man is equipped with the ability to reflect, to acquire knowledge and to be creative. Furthermore, it is the only species which is capable of having ethical behavior. Man is able to decide how to act accordingly, choosing between several options, in order to anticipate any possible consequences. As put forward by Rolston, the human being conquered and lives in the terrain of morality; hence the necessary and inevitable ethical behavior.

Man is deeply human when he reflects on his own reality. Throughout its existence, humanity has left a trail of thought and on several occasions has embarked on a path towards what is known as civilization, which in turn recognizes the rights and the dignity of each and every one who defines and forms part of the human species. Human liberty, which allows us to think and act, is also accompanied by the path set forth by humanity.

Moreover, the advances of human values have never taken place in risk-free situations. Nonetheless, none of the actions which take place right now are alien to the worldwide perspective adopted by mankind. The worldwide perspective which we will adopt is, naturally, closely related to our self-understanding, that is to say, the way in which we currently understand our own existence here and now. At this stage in history, scientific contributions represent an essential reference point for the understanding of our

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own existence. Science proves to us how it is, how it develops and how life ends from a biological point of view. There is no doubt in stating that our biological existence starts at an early embryo stage (zygote), and, if given the possibility of developing adequately, it will have a natural death. We can conclude that human biology has been solving many enigmas such as the beginning of existence of each human being, which was practically unknown barely 200 years ago.

It is important to take a step forward from the understanding of the biological reality of human life to a field of values on which everyone’s rights must be based. That recognition is demanded by human dignity. I present here a task which requires continuous reflection by the most diverse types of thinkers. Technological evolution, which increasingly makes human life intervention more possible, always poses new questions. Solving these from medicine, law and social organization of coexistence points of views should be carried out in debates and discussions like the ones brought forward by this book. I trust that the readers of this book will find enough intellectual content and intellectual provocation in its pages to continue moving forward and succeeding in an attempt to define the values encompassed in human dignity, a dignity in which we all hold key roles.

CĂŠsar Nombela Cano President of MenĂŠndez Pelayo International University

Prólogo La vida humana no puede ser entendida meramente como un concepto abstracto porque hace referencia a la existencia de todos y cada uno de los que integramos lo que llamamos la especie. La especie humana, naturalmente, de cuya realidad sabemos cada vez más. En efecto, como especie dotada para el conocimiento, el hombre ha podido profundizar en sus orígenes en el planeta Tierra, desde que hace unos 150.000 años surgió como parte de un devenir evolutivo biológico, que le hermana con toda la biosfera. Aunque no se trate de una demostración experimental, la visión darwinista del hombre en el devenir evolutivo encaja bien en explicaciones científicas. Pero, igualmente es legítimo postular que ese proceso que condujo a la aparición del hombre no implica la demostración de ningún determinismo. Von Herder se refirió al hombre como primer liberado de la creación. Y cabe postular que ese surgir del ser humano supone un punto de partida más que un predeterminado final o culminación de todo.

Como cabe reflexionar sobre la trascendencia de la vida humana, más allá de su propia materialidad.

Lo cierto es que a la evolución biológica en la que apareció nuestra especie le siguió algo muy concreto, para lo que no está dotada ninguna otra especie, que es la evolución cultural. El hombre está dotado para la reflexión, para el conocimiento, para la creación artística. Y además es la única especie capaz de un comportamiento ético. El hombre es capaz de decidir cómo obrar, eligiendo entre varias opciones, precisamente por poder anticipar sus consecuencias. En palabras de Rolston el ser humano conquistó y vive en el terreno de la moralidad. De ahí el necesario e inevitable comportamiento ético.

Profundamente humano es que el hombre reflexione sobre su propia realidad. En el devenir de su existencia, la Humanidad ha ido dejando una estela de su pensamiento y, en muchas ocasiones, un avance hacia lo que llamamos civilización, que supone el reconocimiento de los derechos y la dignidad de todos y cada uno de los que integramos la especie humana.

Como la libertad del hombre, para pensar y actuar, también ha acompañado el recorrido de la Humanidad, los avances en la consideración del valor del ser humano nunca han tenido lugar en circunstancias exentas de riesgo. Pues bien, nada de lo que acontece en estos momentos es ajeno a la cosmovisión que adopta el hombre de hoy. La cosmovisión que adoptemos está naturalmente en profunda relación con nuestra autocomprensión, es decir cómo entendemos nuestra propia existencia, aquí y ahora. A estas

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alturas de la historia las aportaciones de la Ciencia representan un punto de referencia esencial para esa comprensión de nuestra propia existencia.

La Ciencia nos muestra cómo es, cómo se desarrolla y cómo termina la vida humana, desde el punto de vista biológico. No cabe duda de que nuestra existencia biológica comienza en una etapa de embrión temprano (cigoto) y, si tiene opción de desarrollarse adecuadamente termina con la muerte natural. Podemos concluir que la biología humana ha ido resolviendo muchos enigmas, como el del inicio de la existencia de cada ser humano, que hace apenas 200 años se situaban en el terreno de lo desconocido.

Es preciso dar el salto, desde el conocimiento de la realidad biológica de la vida del hombre a un ámbito de valores en el que se fundamente el reconocimiento de los derechos de todos, ese reconocimiento que exige la dignidad humana. He aquí una tarea que demanda una reflexión continua por parte los más diversos pensadores. La evolución de las tecnologías, que cada vez más hacen posible la intervención en la vida humana, plantea siempre nuevos interrogantes. Resolverlos desde el punto de vista de la medicina, del derecho y de la organización social de la convivencia se ha de llevar a cabo a través de debates como el que plantea este libro. Confío en que los lectores encuentren el contenido y la provocación intelectual suficientes para que sigamos avanzando y acertando en la valoración de lo que significa la dignidad humana, de la que todos somos titulares.

César Nombela Cano Rector de la Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo

Introduction HUMAN DIGNITY, LIFE, AND LAW On the 24th, 25th and 26th of September 2015 two seminars organized

by RCC Study Group «Studies on Life and Human Dignity» were held at Harvard University.1 The first seminar was held on September 24th, and took place in the Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard under the name of «Human Dignity and Law». The aim was to study and analyze the concept of the dignity of human life and some of its manifestations and potential threats in today’s world. The second seminar, which took place in Harvard Law School’s Wasserstein Hall on the 25th and 26th of that same month, was titled «Dignity in Life and Death». The latter covered the different aspects of human life at the time of death. Both seminars gathered well-renowned professors from different fields of science from a variety of Spanish, European and American universities, who met there to study and discuss the different aspects related to the dignity of human life.

We are all aware of the fact that in the last decades, a spectacular development in the diverse fields of science, economy, and trade and communications has taken place in society. These advances in human progress, as laudable as they may be, sometimes do not effectively correspond to parallel recognition of every man and woman’s human dignity. In fact, in many cases, this progress results in a series of contradictions and possible dangers. It is clear, that in the development of a contemporary society, new ways of human discrimination, exploitation and slavery, not to mention other types of attacks against fundamental human liberties and rights, arise. There exist moving statements regarding human dignity at national and international levels which are often understated and unfortunately remain as ineffective pieces of theory which are never put to use. Every life deserves respect and special recognition; particularly that of those who are weak and defenceless.

We have peacefully reflected upon this matter in an ambience filled with respect and intellectual liberty at Harvard University. Some of the many other objectives that the University has, include the protection of human wellbeing, the reporting of inconsistencies, and the search for solutions to 1

El RCC Study Group «Studies on Life and Human Dignity» is a Study Group linked to Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard University. See page 291 and the web page http://rcc.harvard.edu/death-penalty-0.

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Introduction

improve our society. The RCC Study Group «Studies on Life and Human Dignity» is designed to serve as an international forum at Harvard University which contributes to the defence and recognition of human dignity in search of the truth from the perspective of intellectual freedom. The seminars held so far at Harvard University have allowed university professors from all around the globe to present their different points of view and discuss key aspects related to life and human dignity. These seminars are a result of a collective effort made in hopes of searching for the truth from diverse points of views in a harmonious and liberty-filled environment.

On this occasion, some of the participants were historians and philosophers who presented a thorough analysis of historic events as well as the roots historical problems. The participants also included jurists from different fields of law, even some judiciary representatives. Among them were some were administrative officers, civil attorneys, penologists, and canonists as well as experts on the constitution and legal historians who, from a legal perspective, expressed their views on human dignity. Here, the presence of sociologists and experts in Bioethics contributed to the issue of the ethics of human dignity in today’s society. Moreover, we also counted on the presence of a distinguished group of medical representatives, all of whom came from renowned European and American universities and hospitals. As a result, we have concluded that the fields of medicine always contribute significantly when it comes to talking about humanity and humanism. Our goal has been to analyze the dignity of human life from a multidisciplinary approach.2

2

These professors took part in the seminars: Mr. José Manuel Martínez Sierra (director of Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard), Mrs. Carmen Losa Contreras (Complutense University of Madrid), Mr. Daniel Lage (Harvard University), Mr. Javier Puyol Montero (magistrate, on leave), magistrado excedente, socio director de Puyol Abogados, Etienne Montero (dean of Law, Namur Law School, Belgium), Mr. Rafael Caballero Sánchez (Complutense University of Madrid, attorney at the Spanish Constitutional Court), Mr. Sheldon Rubenfeld (Baylor College of Medicine, Houston), Mr. Antonio López Vega (Complutense University of Madrid), Mrs. Jane Driver (Harvard Medical School), Mr. Santiago Cañizares Arribas (Complutense University of Madrid), Mrs. Esther Cuerda Galindo (Rey Juan Carlos University), Mr. Christopher Tollefsen (University of South Carolina), Mr. Michael Hawking (Oxford University), Mr. John Keown (Georgetown University, Kennedy Institute of Ethics), Mr. José-Antonio Santos (Rey Juan Carlos University), Mr. Martin Buijsen (Erasmus University of Rotterdam, Holland), Mr. Eduardo de Urbano (magistrate at the Provincial Court of Madrid). The director and the secretary of both seminars were the Professors Mr. José-María Puyol Montero (Complutense University of Madrid) y Mrs. María Luisa Gómez Jiménez (University of Malaga).

Introduction

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We have analyzed the dignity of human life in public policies as well as in private life, as well as human dignity in life and at the time of death. We have studied phenomena like the death penalty, —still present in roughly 60 countries—, in addition to euthanasia, a phenomenon with many implications, which is likely to extend in the near future to developed societies.

The ideas and views brought forward have been enriching and without doubt have clarified much. Moreover, this experience has generated a series of debates, which we consider to have enriched the lives and understandings of many. Many of the mentioned ideas and topics are reflected in the pages of this book, which we here present to you.

The effort implied in these seminars has yielded the publication of this book, which now sees the light of day thanks to the kind support of the prestigious editorial Tirant lo Blanch, in addition to all of the other contributions made by the numerous speakers and professors, particularly those who, considering their tight agendas, managed to find the time to include their valuable views and opinions in the pages of this book.

It is important also to extend our utmost appreciation to those institutions which, thanks to their generosity and support, have made it possible for us to hold these two seminars at Harvard University. We kindly thank the Institute for Global Law and Policy (IGLP), of Harvard Law School, and its director professor David Kennedy, Harvard Law School Criminal Justice Program of Study, Research, and Advocacy, and its director Dr. professor Carol Steiker, Rey Juan Carlos University and its president professor Mr. Fernando Suárez Bilbao, who has, since the beginning of the project, been very supportive and enthusiastic, and we must also thank all of the members of the Scientific Committee for their commitment to both seminars.3 We must also equally thank the Abigail Adams Institute for its generous contributions and support in the diverse organizational aspects of the seminars. Finally, we greatly acknowledge and appreciate the support of the director of the Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard University,

3

The members of the Scientific Committee have been the professors Mr. José Manuel Martínez Sierra (director of Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard); Mr. Christopher Tollefsen (University of South Carolina); Mrs. Esther Cuerda Galindo (Rey Juan Carlos University); Mr. Etienne Montero (dean of Law, Namur School of Law, Belgium); Mr. Daniel Lage (Harvard University); Mrs. Carmen Losa Contreras (Complutense University of Madrid); Mr. Rafael Caballero Sánchez (Complutense University of Madrid and attorney at the Spanish Constitutional Court); Mrs. María Luisa Gómez Jiménez (University of Málaga), secretary of the Committee; and the director of RCC Study Group «Studies on life and Human Dignity» seminars professor Mr. José-María Puyol Montero (Complutense University of Madrid).

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Introduction

professor JosĂŠ Manuel MartĂ­nez Sierra. This important joint institution of the Complutense and Harvard University, that last year celebrated its 25th year of existence, helping to create a link between the academic world of Europe and America in the unique setting of Harvard University.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, December, 12th, 2016