Call for lethal injection boycott

Byrnzie
Byrnzie Posts: 21,037
edited October 2007 in A Moving Train
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7027305.stm

Thursday, 4 October 2007, 08:52 GMT 09:52 UK

Call for lethal injection boycott

Amnesty International has urged doctors and nurses not to participate in executions by lethal injection as it breaches their ethical oath.

In a report the group says the cocktail of drugs used is not always quick and painless and can cause "excruciating pain and extreme mental suffering".

The execution method is common in the US and is on the rise in China.

However, the US Supreme Court last week agreed to hear a challenge that lethal injections violate the constitution.

In its new report, "Execution by lethal injection - a quarter century of state poisoning", it says governments should not put doctors and nurses in the position of carrying out an action contrary to their ethical oath.

Jim Welsh, the group's health and human rights co-ordinator, said: "Medical professionals are trained to work for patients' well-being, not to participate in executions ordered by the state."

The report also challenges the cocktail of three drugs commonly used in executions.

It says that Texas, the biggest US user of lethal injections, has banned the same drugs for dogs and cats on the grounds of the potential pain they may suffer.


US LETHAL INJECTION
Used in 37 of 38 death penalty states. Nebraska uses electric chair
Almost all use same three-drug combination:
Sodium thiopental (sodium pentothal): Induces unconsciousness
Pancuronium bromide (Pavulon): Causes muscle paralysis
Potassium chloride: Stops the heart
Source: Amnesty/Death Penalty Information Center

The group says the drug used to induce unconsciousness can wear off before the prisoner's heart stops, causing extreme physical and mental strain.

The patients are, however, in a "chemical straitjacket" and cannot convey their distress, it says.

Amnesty cites case studies of US prisoners suffering for about 30 minutes in "botched" executions.

It says there are no exact official figures on executions in China but that it is certain to carry out more than any other country.

Amnesty says lethal injections are on the rise in China, with mobile vans increasingly being used.

Prisoners are executed on a metal bed in a windowless chamber in the back, the group says.

The issue of lethal injection is a matter of huge debate in the US.

Last week the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case brought by two convicted murderers in Kentucky who argue that the method violates the ban on cruel and unusual punishment contained in the Eighth Amendment to the US Constitution.

The court ruling may provide a broad guideline on the method of execution, which some states have suspended after claims it was cruel and ineffective.

Andrea Keilen, from a legal firm that represents about 150 death row inmates in Texas, said there was no way of knowing the competency of those carrying out the executions in the state.

"We don't have any idea about what's happening in Texas, because it's done in secret."
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Comments

  • even flow?
    even flow? Posts: 8,066
    Would a more humane way be to axe the person the same way they took care of their innocent victim?
    You've changed your place in this world!
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    I say we boycott all forms of the death penalty.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    even flow? wrote:
    Would a more humane way be to axe the person the same way they took care of their innocent victim?


    revenge is never humane. we may pride ourselves on our big brains and being above the animals but sadly, we are not.
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    know1 wrote:
    I say we boycott all forms of the death penalty.

    and i second that emotion.
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • genie
    genie Posts: 2,222
    even flow? wrote:
    Would a more humane way be to axe the person the same way they took care of their innocent victim?

    and i say it's a wonderful idea. but how are we going to go about executing murderer who killed more than one person? ;):D
  • genie
    genie Posts: 2,222
    catefrances wrote:
    we may pride ourselves on our big brains and being above the animals but sadly, we are not.

    and i agree and never thought otherwise, before you respond on my previous post. ;)
  • even flow?
    even flow? Posts: 8,066
    catefrances wrote:
    revenge is never humane. we may pride ourselves on our big brains and being above the animals but sadly, we are not.

    I'm sorry. If putting that nice human being in jail isn't revenge then what is it?


    If the answer is justice. Then them getting the same as they dolled out is justice too.
    You've changed your place in this world!
  • even flow?
    even flow? Posts: 8,066
    genie wrote:
    and i say it's a wonderful idea. but how are we going to go about executing murderer who killed more than one person? ;):D


    Very, very, very, slowly.
    You've changed your place in this world!
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    genie wrote:
    and i agree and never thought otherwise, before you respond on my previous post. ;)

    i know facetiousness when i see it genie. :)
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • catefrances
    catefrances Posts: 29,003
    even flow? wrote:
    I'm sorry. If putting that nice human being in jail isn't revenge then what is it?


    If the answer is justice. Then them getting the same as they dolled out is justice too.

    who said they were nice? you misunderstand me.

    sure if you murder someone in cold blood with malice aforethoght, then absolutely you should be removed from society for whatever amount of time. but state sanctioned murder? i do not see that as justice. tis revenge pure and simple. an eye for an eye i think they call it in the bible.
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • MahoganySouls
    MahoganySouls Posts: 357
    Sodium Pentathol is a barbituate that causes an anesthetic effect. In other words, it puts the recipient to sleep. It is commonly used in various types of surgery. There is no pain felt because the person is unconscious.

    When this "cocktail" is used in lethal injections, SP is given first to anesthetize the person. Then the remaing drugs that eventually stop the heart are given.

    The only trauma the criminal experiences is that of knowing their life is about to end. Mental anguish yes, physical pain no.
    "When you're climbing to the top, you'd better know the way back down" MSB
  • genie
    genie Posts: 2,222
    MahoganySouls wrote:
    Sodium Pentathol is a barbituate that causes an anesthetic effect. In other words, it puts the recipient to sleep. It is commonly used in various types of surgery. There is no pain felt because the person is unconscious.

    When this "cocktail" is used in lethal injections, SP is given first to anesthetize the person. Then the remaing drugs that eventually stop the heart are given.

    The only trauma the criminal experiences is that of knowing their life is about to end. Mental anguish yes, physical pain no.

    this is a good way to commit suicide. i'm glad i'm not as young as i was before and i'm glad i'm not surgeon
  • MahoganySouls
    MahoganySouls Posts: 357
    genie wrote:
    this is a good way to commit suicide. i'm glad i'm not as young as i was before and i'm glad i'm not surgeon

    Well it would be, however a person desiring suicide would most likely not have access to such drugs.
    "When you're climbing to the top, you'd better know the way back down" MSB
  • genie
    genie Posts: 2,222
    MahoganySouls wrote:
    Well it would be, however a person desiring suicide would most likely not have access to such drugs.

    i think we've just opened a niche market, it' can be a great business opportunity...;)
  • 810wmb
    810wmb Posts: 849
    the only problem with jail time, is the cost to the taxpayer.

    food, shelter, medical, lawyer fees, etc.



    i say hang them, then shoot them, then set them on fire.
    i'm the meat, yer not...signed Capt Asshat
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    810wmb wrote:
    the only problem with jail time, is the cost to the taxpayer.

    food, shelter, medical, lawyer fees, etc.



    i say hang them, then shoot them, then set them on fire.

    Have you compared the costs of executing them vs. life in prision?
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • mammasan
    mammasan Posts: 5,656
    know1 wrote:
    Have you compared the costs of executing them vs. life in prision?

    It actually costs more to have a prisoner on death row.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • 810wmb
    810wmb Posts: 849
    know1 wrote:
    Have you compared the costs of executing them vs. life in prision?


    i can get a box of 9mm ammo from war-mart for $15


    it's cheaper to whack them
    i'm the meat, yer not...signed Capt Asshat
  • ledvedderman
    ledvedderman Posts: 7,762
    810wmb wrote:
    i can get a box of 9mm ammo from war-mart for $15


    it's cheaper to whack them

    Did your dad not hug you as a child or tell you he loves you? That would explain your reason for posting things to just draw attention to yourself.
    E8toX.gif

    http://www.reverbnation.com/brianzilm
  • mammasan
    mammasan Posts: 5,656
    810wmb wrote:
    i can get a box of 9mm ammo from war-mart for $15


    it's cheaper to whack them

    How about the inmates that have been on death row and have been acquitted because of improvements in forensic sciences. It would suck to have put that bullet in their skull only to find out later that they indeed where innocent.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul

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