The article proposes thinking the corpus of knowledge on palliative care as an invention that would work as one of the tactics inserted in a bio-political strategy constituted in order to defend society. For the articulation of this discussion, the 2007 edition of the palliative care manual was used, published by the World Health Organization. Starting from the textual analysis of the discourse in the manual, with the help of the reference framework of cultural studies and inspired on the works by Michel Foucault, the study articulates one of the possible readings of the guide. Based on the crossing between material information and statements, one observes the re(organization) and (re)invention of a discipline that invests in the subjectivity of individuals, constituting apparatuses of truth in the intent to defend living. DEscriptors: Health policy. Palliative care. Education. Government. Nursing.