Medical equipment manufacturers including Baxter International Inc., B. Braun Medical Inc., Fresenius Kabi and Johnson & Johnson have decided not to sell their products for use in lethal injections due to ethical concerns. These companies produce essential medical equipment such as IV catheters, syringes, medical tubing and IV bags used to administer lethal injections in states where the death penalty is practiced. Companies like Johnson & Johnson stated that their mission is to "save and enhance lives" and do not support capital punishment.
This development comes as pharmaceutical companies have already restricted the sale of drugs for lethal injections, leading states that practice capital punishment to seek alternatives. Until now, the focus has largely been on the drugs, with limited attention on the equipment used in executions.
Legal experts suggest that this move by medical equipment manufacturers could spark new legal challenges related to the equipment used in lethal injections, further complicating states' efforts to carry out death sentences. Manufacturers' opposition to their equipment's use in capital punishment reflects a broader trend of private companies influencing the future of lethal injections.
While these developments present hurdles for states that use lethal injections, there is still debate and ongoing legal battles surrounding the ethics, safety, and logistics of capital punishment in the United States.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Link: The Intercept
Comments