Medical Associations Vote to Keep Doctors From Participating in Execution

At its annual general meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, the World Medical Association (WMA) declared that doctors should not participate in any part of the capital punishment process.  The WMA amended their 1981 "Resolution on Physician Participation in Capital Punishment" that stated no physician should be required to be an active participant in executions.  The amendment makes the WMA's guidelines more explicit, advising doctors not to participate in any part of an execution. "Doctors should not become involved in any preliminary examinations, advise on execution methods, evaluate competency or be present during the event," said WMA chairman, Dr. Anders Milton of Sweden. Forty medical associations voted in favor of the amendments.  (Reuters 10/10/00