AMA Policy and Capital Punishment

At its June 2000 Annual Meeting, the American Medical Association (AMA) considered a resolution of the American Association of Public Health Physicians (AAPHP) about the integrity of the criminal justice system as it applied to capital punishment. The AAPHP resolution states: "The possibility exists that in several states innocent individuals may be executed because medical technology will not be made available in time to prevent their death." The resolution called for the AMA to support Governor Ryan's moratorium. After deliberation, the AMA adopted a substitute resolution that encourages the use of all appropriate medical forensic technologies by the criminal justice system without considering the issue of a national moratorium.
Do you think the AMA should have called for a national moratorium on all executions?
Yes, because the AMA Code of Medical Ethics states that physicians should not participate in executions.
Yes, because the use of appropriate medical forensic technology is not uniformly available to those awaiting capital punishment.
No, because although the Code prohibits physicians from participating in executions, it says nothing about the morality of capital punishment ("An individual's opinion on capital punishment is the personal moral decision of the individual").
No, because capital punishment serves as a useful and effective deterrent to crime.
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