Abstract

The «Englaro case» is the Italian leading decision on health, life, and (especially) end-of-life care choices. Several judicial decisions deal with these topics, but no specific laws have been adopted on matter. At present, there is only one bill (2011) that reflects the dispute (religious, ethical, political) about the Englaro case. From the standpoint of this dispute, the article examines Italian legal principles (the pluralism and personalist principles) influencing legal responses to ethical problems about health, life, and end-of-life care choices. The article follows with an examination of the current judicial and law-making paths related to the topics here discussed.