Doctors and Execution

Haven't been writing for a while again. Well, I am lazy, I admit that.

Yesterday was the last day of service by the old "Star" ferry pier. (Anyone notice that the habour was named 'The "Star" Ferry"? Note the quotation marks! I never understand why. I would be real glad if some history nerd can educate me on that.) I admit that I did have a sense of loss. Star ferry has been really a part of my Hong Kong memory and it is definitely something that make you think about this special city. I would always remember those special rails and stairs in that pier.

Although I did have that sense of loss, I do see the necessity of going forward. What I mean is that I am not a fan of the current atmosphere of protecting every single structure that makes people think about their past. Preservation of history and architecture is important, but does it simple mean to preserve every single piece of building? I mean, other then the desire of preserving the memory, the preservation process needs to give the monument a new life. Otherwise, the preserved building would be nothing different from an abandoned flat. However, it seems to me is that the current atmosphere was that people only cared about the preservation but not the re-newing part of the monuments-- which is pathetic in my own opinion.

Anyway, today's society is distorted and strange.

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The above was really sidetrack of what I want to write today. Two weeks ago, Joe emailed me asking for my opinion on a pretty interesting matter. He was saying that doctors are hired as executor in capital punishments in the US and he was asking for my thoughts on whether this was an violation of the doctor's ethics. For those who know me well, you must know that I could not wait to answer that question. But in light of coming examinations, I had to put that question down in pain. Now, with examination passed and with life back to normal, it is time for me to hand in this piece of homework to my dear friend.

This is a complicated question and it took me some time to think how I should approach the question. After some thoughts, I think I would structure my answer as follows

a. Doctor's Ethics
b. Doctor's role in capital punishment
c. The conclusion

I must stress here that the following discussion is based on my personal knowledge and experience rather than scientific evidence or well established data/papers. This was because this question was largely pointed towards my personal opinion and also I dun intend to take the trouble in searching everywhere for papers and data (although I am pretty sure that there must have been high quality discussions on the matter). Secondly, I also need to point out that the following discussion is largely based on humanities as this issue should have no room of suspicions in the ground of law (law people please voice out if otherwise!!)

a. Doctor's ethics.

Ethics is a fluid issue with its continuous changes with time, culture, scientific development and human values. Ethic is different from law in that those who violate law will be punished by means as stated by law. Professional ethics is however a bit different from general ethics as vioation of professional ethics may lead to punishment by professional organization in forms of condemns to termination of liscence. Moreover, professional ethics usually required from its member a higher level of standard.

So why professional ethics and not professional laws? Ethics is also different from law in that it gives more room to its executive arm in determining whether there is violation of professional ethics. As a result, professionals can act according to the continuous change in public expectations.

The public require more from pressionals-- this is well established. Doctor is one of the professions that have been highly regarded and respected by the society as a whole. As price of that kind of respect, the public has the right of requiring more from foctors in the ground of ethics.

Doctors learn medicine. And in medicine, doctors learn way to heal, as well as way to kill. It is therefore of utmost important that people who are liscenced as doctors must have high standard of morality. Medicinal knowledge, as required from the days of Hippocratic Oath, should only be used to heal/cure/comfort rather than to harm/kill. Doctors are people who learn to help people in maintaining their life with quallity, doctors do not learn medicinal knowledge to "rule" life. In other words, doctors have no right to determine whether somebody should live or die, but only have right to help people in keeping themselves alive and healthy, or to help people die with dignity and quality of life.

b. Role of doctors in capital punishment.

As stated in his email, Joe mentioned that the rationale behind the hiring of doctors as executioner was that they needed somebody to certify the death of the prisoner. In other words, doctors actively participates in the induction of death of that prisoner.

What if doctors are only hired to certify the death by not the execution of death? In modern and ancient medical ethics, it was required from doctors that they should prevent the death of any human being within their power, no matter whether they are responsible for that patient of not

c. Conclusion.

In conclusion, I do think the participation of doctors in any form an violation of medical ethics. However, since his action was granted by law, there is no ground that such doctor can be condemned by exisiting medical regulations for doctors.

It may be argued that the concerned doctor does not act in capacity of doctor when he/she is overseeing the process of execution. However, it is necessary to note that by getting the liscence of doctor, it means to act in limit of doctor's ethic at any time and place.

In short, there is no problem with that doctor to become an executioner in terms of law. However, I would have strong reservation of regarding that person still as doctor.

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Life is hectic, but passion is growing.