Romell Broom endured multiple injection attempts when executioners tried to find a suitable vein in his arms or legs. Eventually, “At one point, he covered his face with both hands and appeared to be sobbing, his stomach heaving” (Johnson). Since no physicians were present at the time of his execution, no one could provide the executioners the medical guidance to killing Broom more effectively and painlessly. Other patients can similarly suffer if medical personnel do not supervise such executions. Doctors should be involved to a significant extent in state executions to ensure swift and painless deaths, as long as they approve of their participation in unnaturally overseeing patient deaths. If there is a discrepancy between the state’s requirement
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The AMA is an organization including physicians and medical students that aims to improve medical health, lobby and advocate for physician interests, and promote medical ethics. In terms of capital punishment, the AMA opposes the participation of doctors in executions, stating “A physician, as a member of a profession dedicated to preserving life when there is hope of doing so, should not be a participant in a legally authorized execution” (AMA). Because the AMA has benefits of the support from other physicians and savings on insurance and medical supplies, many doctors follow such guidelines out of fear even though their personal values conflict with them. Even though the AMA is the largest association of doctors in the country, only 20 percent of doctors are in it (Alper). Consequently, physicians should not have to follow the beliefs of this organization. In routine physical check ups, if physicians view a patient as terminal, they will aim to make the process as comfortable as possible. Similarly, doctors can use their training to ensure that people being executed have as painless of an execution as possible. While AMA may not agree with such actions, it is unfair for them to control individual professional decisions. On the other hand, if physicians do agree with the AMA’s values, they should not have to partake in executions. The AMA’s code nonetheless conflicts with numerous state laws regarding
The AMA is an organization including physicians and medical students that aims to improve medical health, lobby and advocate for physician interests, and promote medical ethics. In terms of capital punishment, the AMA opposes the participation of doctors in executions, stating “A physician, as a member of a profession dedicated to preserving life when there is hope of doing so, should not be a participant in a legally authorized execution” (AMA). Because the AMA has benefits of the support from other physicians and savings on insurance and medical supplies, many doctors follow such guidelines out of fear even though their personal values conflict with them. Even though the AMA is the largest association of doctors in the country, only 20 percent of doctors are in it (Alper). Consequently, physicians should not have to follow the beliefs of this organization. In routine physical check ups, if physicians view a patient as terminal, they will aim to make the process as comfortable as possible. Similarly, doctors can use their training to ensure that people being executed have as painless of an execution as possible. While AMA may not agree with such actions, it is unfair for them to control individual professional decisions. On the other hand, if physicians do agree with the AMA’s values, they should not have to partake in executions. The AMA’s code nonetheless conflicts with numerous state laws regarding