MDs help in federal executions? Proposed rules on lethal injections surprise medical community

Article Abstract:

The Justice Dept is proposing a law requiring a physician to be present at executions for capital crimes and to determine death. The American Medical Association has voiced strong objection to the idea of a physician participating in an execution because it violates the physician's ethical duty under Hippocratic Oath not to harm anyone. Some members of the medical community believe that the Justice Dept is trying to implement the rules before the Clinton administration takes office. The public has 30 days to comment, unlike the typical 60- or 90-day period.

Legal counsel and prosecution, Laws, regulations and rules, Execution by lethal injection

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The executioner's assistant: is it ethical for physicians to participate? Medical groups say no

Article Abstract:

The Nov 1992 Illinois execution of convicted murderer Lloyd Wayne Hampton raises the question of whether physicians should participate in executions in any capacity. The Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS), American Medical Association and World Medical Association oppose any such participation. However, many states require that an execution be witnessed by a physician and that a doctor pronounce the person dead. Recently, the ISMS sponsored a state law reversing a previous requirement that two physician witnesses must attend an execution.

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Who will aid the executioner? In Missouri, nurses have been called in to replace doctors

Article Abstract:

The American Medical Association and other professional groups condemn the involvement of physicians in executions. Nurses, however, have mixed drugs and inserted catheters in several cases of execution by lethal injection, notably in the state of Missouri. Two nurses, who are advocates of capital punishment, expressed no regret for their involvement in the executions. The Missouri Nurses Assn, which bars nurses from participating in executions, plans to issue a policy statement on the matter.

Offices of health practitioners, not elsewhere classified, Nurses

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