The aim of this thesis is to analyse and compare wrongful birth cases in European context. Its first part focuses on the theoretical explanation of the concept of the action itself, then it is followed by a detailed comparison with wrongful life actions. A proper definition is necessary for further understanding of the matter. The second part of the thesis aims at an in-depth description of wrongful birth cases in major European countries. It discusses the medical liability and the parents` rights in the past cases and brings an evaluation and a de lege ferenda point of view. The conclusion deals with the similarities and the differences and offers the author's insight on the subject.

in the English language Title: A theoretical conception of liability for harm caused by the birth of a man In many legal orders a new types of legal actions have appeared (in relation to the development of new methods of diagnosing congenital diseases). In these types of legal actions the claimant seeks damages for the negligence of the doctor in performing these tests. These claims are referred to as "wrongful birth", "wrongful conception", and "wrongful abortion". The "wrongful life" claim is most commonly used in a situation where while performing prenatal screening the doctor does not diagnose the existing congenital disease and therefore fails to give the parents an essential piece of information, which might have made the parents decide to abort the fetus. The claimant in this case is the child itself, who substantiates the claim by arguing it should have never been born. The "wrongful birth" claim arises from the same situation, but the claimants are the parents of the child. They claim damages for the emotional pain and increased expences related to giving birth and raising a disabled child. In the case of the "wrongful conception" claim, the most common reason for using this action is a negligently performed sterilization procedure. The "wrongful abortion" claim can be used in a situation...

O presente trabalho aborda o tema da responsabilidade civil pelo nascimento indesejado no Direito Brasileiro. Trata-se de um conflito que emerge nos casos em que a falha de um método contraceptivo redunda no nascimento de uma criança, contra a vontade de seus genitores. A primeira parte do trabalho é dedicada ao fato gerador da responsabilidade nessa espécie de litígio, a saber, a culpa médica e o defeito do produto ou serviço de contracepção. Os métodos anticoncepcionais são agrupados em duas categorias: de um lado, os métodos cirúrgicos de esterilização, que envolvem a prestação de um serviço médico; e, de outro, os métodos que empregam dispositivos anticoncepcionais fabricados industrialmente, isto é, os produtos contraceptivos. A segunda parte do trabalho discorre sobre as implicações éticas da reparação do nascimento indesejado. De fato, a indenização fundada no nascimento de um filho traz à tona uma série de considerações relativas à dignidade da criança e ao valor das relações parentais. O trabalho procura apontar em que medida o nascimento de uma criança pode ser interpretado como um prejuízo legítimo experimentado por seus pais. Conclui-se que a reparação integral do nascimento indesejado é necessária para a afirmação da autonomia reprodutiva das vítimas de contraceptivos defeituosos. A análise das soluções controversas adotadas no Reino Unido e na França onde os tribunais afirmaram que apenas o nascimento de uma criança deficiente pode ser considerado um prejuízo reparável revela que o direito dos pais à reparação não pode ser subordinado às condições de saúde da criança nascida / This thesis is an inquiry into wrongful conception claims under Brazilian Tort Law. This type of lawsuit arises out of cases involving failure of contraceptive methods, causing the birth of a child against the parents desire. The first part of the thesis addresses the basis of liability in wrongful conception claims, namely, medical malpractice and defect of products or services. Contraceptive methods are grouped into two categories: on one side, surgical methods of sterilization, that rely upon the supply of medical services; on the other, contraception methods that employ manufactured devices, that is, contraceptive products. The second part of the thesis discusses the ethical implications of awarding damages in wrongful conception claims. Compensation based on the birth of a child raises a series of issues concerning the child\'s dignity and the value of parental relationships. It is argued that full compensation is necessary in order to reaffirm the reproductive autonomy of the victims of defective contraceptive methods. The analysis of controversial solutions adopted in United Kingdom and France where courts have stated that only the birth of a disabled child is a recoverable damage leads to the conclusion that the chillds health condition cannot be a requirement for his parents right to compensation.