Abstract
The end of life decision making represents worldwide one of the most difficult issue that physicians can be confronted with - not only it should be regarded as consisting of medical and legal aspects, as well the ethics and moral is present. Furthermore it shall not be pretended that the economic parameter is negligible, unfortunately even to the contrary.
The fact that the decision is often made by physicians under the pressure caused by the system of limited sources (and therefore it can not avoid being deformed) must be kept in mind. Anyway, according to the Czech law under which neither assisted suicide nor euthanasia is allowed, the legality and legitimacy of withdrawal and withholding of medical treatment is based on argument of informed consent of the patient, advanced directives and the standard of lege artis treatment.
These also shall be pleaded as defences in eventual criminal proceedings.