Anesthesiologists and Capital Punishment.

Physician professional organizations in all Western countries consistently hold that it is unethical for physicians to participate in judicial executions. Physician participation in capital punishment is of particular concern for anesthesiologists, who have been identified by the courts as ideal candidates to participate in executions, particularly lethal injection executions. Arguments in favor of participation are based on flawed interpretations of the ethical principle of double-effect, mistaken analogies with physician aid-in-dying, and ignore evidence of prisoner suffering in the execution process. The American Board of Anesthesiology will investigate and may sanction diplomates who participate in executions by revoking their board certification.

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Disclosure M.A. Rockoff was a director of the ABA from 2000 to 2012 and was personally involved in ABA activities during that time. It should be noted, however, that the comments expressed here are solely those of the authors and not of the ABA. W.V. Cleve declares no conflicts of interest. G.A. Van Norman has served as compensated expert witness in lethal injection appellate cases. The authors jointly declare that they are coauthors of this article and have shared equally in its creation. Each author warrants that authorship may be listed in any order for citations.