What is the goal, the purpose of life? People are born to be happy, the search for happiness is the reason for all actions in our life. We seek happiness and avoid unhappiness, but what do we do when circumstances arise that make the continuation of life a sure denial of happiness. Incurable physiological conditions, rare but not rare, turn the existence of those who suffer from them into trials of pain, discomfort and anxiety from which it is impossible to escape. Since happiness is the purpose of life, the continuation of this gift loses its justification and meaning. Is it possible to open the door?

There can be no valid excuse for taking someone’s life. But the human being, a rational animal, is endowed with a number of abilities that make him unique in nature. We are metabiological beings, our reality is not explained solely by phenomena common to other living beings, but transcends that level with manifestations such as this unsettling possibility of having our own life, something that no other entity can. It is the strongest expression of another metabiological reality, freedom. If it is impossible for us to fulfill the fundamental task of life, and we are endowed with the possibility of ending frustration and pain, it seems ethical to choose the end of suffering.

Logic leads us there, but we encounter a series of cultural, religious, axiological and economic structures, which are condensed in legislation and customs that obscure the understanding of this problem. They are also part of our metabiological essence, realities that cannot be erased with the stroke of a pen. The majority religion of Ecuadorians and our legislation limit the patient’s ability to choose a dignified death and do not allow anyone to cooperate in this. This leads some people to do it their own way, refusing medicine or food, hastening the end in a dangerous and not always accurate way. As I have seen some cases in my environment, I can conclude that they must be common. On the other hand, it was heard that doctors defied the ban and actively cooperated in the process. As it is done in agreement with the patient and his family, there are no objections and silence covers him.

In better times, I met Paola Roldán, an intelligent and beautiful young mother, who is a tragic victim of a paralyzing disease that leads her to death after being forced into unbearable situations. Exposed to this fate, it did not want to take shortcuts of uncertainty or illegality. Despite the critical situation, he initiated a lawsuit before the Constitutional Court to have that body declare the unconstitutionality of criminalizing the cooperation of doctors in the processes of incurable patients exposed to obvious suffering, who decided to seek a dignified death. This capability requires careful regulation to prevent it from being used in a malicious or irresponsible manner. Paola’s admirable act, which leaves a shining legacy for all Ecuadorians by breaking down the barriers of suffering and lies. (OR)