Ending an inhumane punishment

今週号では、医療従事者の視点から「死刑廃止」論が展開されています。医療従事者の基本姿勢は"Do no harm"であり、たとえ補助的なかかわりであっても「苦痛をあたる」死刑執行に協力すべきではない、という主張です。
苦痛については、
One analysis (L. G. Koniaris et al. Lancet 365, 1412–1414; 2005) suggests that 43% of prisoners might still be conscious, although totally paralysed, when the potassium chloride rips through their veins on the way to stopping their heart.
と指摘しています。
また、以下のような指摘もしています。
There are powerful arguments for abandoning the death penalty, regardless of its morality. DNA, for example, has helped prove many death-row inmates innocent, exposing the flaws of an irreversible sanction. And statistical analyses indicate that the death penalty is disproportionately administered to minority populations.

[語句・語法]
potassium chlorate 塩素酸カリウム
rip=(vi.)tear
*DNA has helped prove many death-row inmates innocent, exposing the flaws of an irreversible sanction.
help (to) prove
prove + O + C
death-row inmates=死刑囚の監房に収監されている者
flaw=error
irreversible=取り返しの付かない
sanction=permission, approval, stamp or seal of approval
administer=give, apply

[from Editorial, Nature(4 May 2006)]