Health professionals oppose rules mandating participation in executions
Article Abstract:
Many healthcare professionals are strongly opposed to a proposed US Justice Dept regulation regarding their participation in federal executions. This regulation would require a physician or similarly-qualified person to supervise the administration of a lethal injection to federal prisoners. Lethal injections would be established as the method used in all federal executions. Several organizations for health care professionals have adopted a stance against the proposed regulation. Physicians feel their required participation is being proposed to humanize capital punishment rather than for valid medical reasons. A health care professional is not needed to pronounce a prisoner dead, and law enforcement officers routinely perform this task. Nurses also object to required participation in federal executions. Some physicians may be willing to participate in federal executions despite the opinions of many of their colleagues, the sanctions against such participation in their organizations' codes of ethics and state licensing requirements.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1993
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Physicians in Missouri (but not Illinois) win battle to block physician participation in executions
Article Abstract:
State laws enacted in 1995 release physicians in Missouri but not those in Illinois from mandated participation in executions. Ethical standards prohibit physician involvement in the capital punishment process. In July, 1995, Missouri became the first state to rescind the mandate that physicians participate in executions. Amendments in Illinois allow doctors to administer a lethal substance to convicts during state-mandated executions and declare that participation in executions does not involve the practice of medicine. A 1995 bill to repeal the Illinois requirement for physician participation in executions was undermined before it reached the legislative floor. An American Medical Association resolution reaffirmed that physicians establish ethical codes, not politicians. Health workers are encouraged to express their views on this issue to policymakers.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
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Health pros want new rules for girl athletes
Article Abstract:
Health care professionals would like rules for young female professional athletes to be changed to protect these girls from the health hazards of professional sports. Girls who dance and participate in intense athletic competition often develop eating disorders, osteoporosis, amenorrhea, psychosocial problems, and drug addiction. Research has shown that the absence of menstruation combined with stress on bones can lead to irreparable damage. A commission on women's tennis recommended that girls younger than 18 be prohibited from participating fully in professional tennis. The commission also recommended that young athletes, coaches, and parents be educated about the risks of intense training and competition. Physicians can help in this education and, when necessary, intervene to treat health problems.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
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