Foreword Physicians as a group, hold a valued and sensitive position in society. We are granted the privilege of practicing medicine with the understanding that we will use our knowledge and skills in the public interest, and in each patient's best interests. This is a responsibility we take very seriously.Physician participation in capital punishment poses a direct threat to the ethics of our profession. The American Medical Association's (AMA) ethical opinion on this issue is very clear and has not wavered over time. It is inappropriate for society to ask physicians, as members of a profession dedicated to healing and comfort of the sick, to participate in capital punishment. Our position is as follows: An individual's opinion on capital punishment is the personal moral decision of the individual. 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. -1992 Code of Medical Ethics, Current
Opinions of the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs of the American
Medical Association (article 2.06)
Furthermore, where state laws or regulations
require involvement, the AMA recommends that state medical societies work
through the legislative process to change the pertinent criminal codes,
and that the societies inform state licensure boards and certification
and recertification agencies. M. Roy Schwarz, M.D. |