It seems that in the US, a lethal injection execution uses a barbiturate to induce coma, then a muscle relaxant, then a massive dose of KCl to stop the heart. There are some concerns that if the barbiturate step goes wrong, the inmate may suffer a lot of pain, not publicly visible, due to the muscle relaxant.
Instead of this cocktail, why isn’t a huge dose of an analgesic used, like morphine?
Anyone?
There have been a few threads about execution methods. As much of it is for the benefit of the executioner(s) and those witnessing it as for the prisoner. Perhaps something that makes it look peaceful would be better for the former.
I’d prefer to have someone put my brains out with a bullet as they do in China quick and easy, but then you run the risk of perhaps having nice corneas they can transplant :rolleyes:
Some places leave out the KCl, but I don’t know if it’s for humanitarian or efficiency purposes. The first two drugs alone are both administered in fatal doses.
Because you’d need a doctor to get a Schedule II drug like morphine, and no doctor would do such a thing under their ethical guidelines, which is why you couldn’t have an execution done under anaesthesia as that would require a medical professional actively participating.
Surely, the DEA can provide a license to the relevant prison auhorities for these exclusive government events.
Any other possible reason?
No cite but in one of the articles regarding this issue it was said that these types of drugs take too long to work or result in a gruesome death.
I’m not sure about the ‘too long’ argument but I’ve read about doctors officially increasing morphine drip for ‘pain relief’ but actually for euthanasia. I doubt that if those were painful deaths, but someone can clarify.
In the interest of accuracy, he said gruesome, not painful. I know firsthand that morphine ODs often include convulsions and comatose vomiting. Either of which would be horrible to watch on a restrained human being, even a criminal.
OneCentStamp pretty much nailed it, its too gruesome for the witnesses not the criminal.