The Role of Physicians in Executions. Can We Get Real?

Is there any reason whatsoever to involve doctors or nurses in executions? The December 27th St Petersberg Florida Times reports that the state of Florida has botched an execution and Governor Bush is trying to figure out what to do next. Whether you are pro or anti death-penalty (I am anti) there is no need to involve a doctor in killing prisoners. A trained executioner can do the job and ought to. There is no reason to lend the moral authority of medicine to state mandated killing.
- Arthur Caplan