Bioethics and housing: an ethical perspective on the squats at the center of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

The act of entrance in an abandoned realty/property and changing it into housing characterizes the squats at the center of Rio de Janeiro. These informal housing are settled on a conflict territory since they stand in opposition to the principle of property and the current political and urban transformations on the city, illustrated for example by the urban operation Porto Maravilha. This work aims to answer whereas squatting is legitimated. Furthermore it aims to identify the principles of squatting which are opposite to the principle of property. We conclude that these principles could represent a substantive contribution to the focus of reflection in bioethics, as well as a contribution to its way of analysis and action.