[Dignity, founding principle of law]

Area of Science:

• Legal Studies
• Bioethics
• Human Rights Law

Context:

• The principle of human dignity emerged prominently with the advent of bioethical regulations.
• Its recognition spans international, European, and national legal frameworks.
• The principle's application is marked by ambiguities in meaning and impact.

Purpose:

• To conduct a legal analysis of the principle of human dignity within bioethics.
• To clarify the characteristics and legal standing of human dignity.
• To examine the tension between dignity and freedom in contemporary legal discourse.

Summary:

• Human dignity is identified as a matrix principle, non-waivable, and an objective right.
• Despite formal recognition, its practical effectiveness is diminished.
• There's a legal tendency to prioritize subjective rights, specifically freedom, over dignity.

Impact:

• The study highlights the critical need for legal clarity on human dignity's scope.
• It underscores the potential weakening of individual protection due to shifting legal priorities.
• The findings are crucial for ongoing debates on balancing rights and ensuring robust individual safeguards.