Many Doctors Willing to Aid Executions, Poll Says
Many doctors would be willing to participate in an execution, even though it violates the Hippocratic oath and is prohibited by medical societies, according to a survey.
Asked whether they would perform any action on a list of 10 involving the mechanics of lethal injection, 41% of doctors who responded said they would perform at least one; 25% said they would perform five or more.
The questionnaire was mailed to 1,000 randomly selected practicing physicians; 413 responded.
Of the responding doctors, 19% said they would administer lethal drugs; 28% said they would insert intravenous lines into a prisoner; 30% would monitor a prisoner’s vital signs; 36% would pronounce the inmate’s death. All are disallowed by the American Medical Assn.
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