This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8401299.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Lethal injection choice on trial Lethal injection choice on trial
(about 1 hour later)
If inmate Kenneth Biros is executed as planned later on Tuesday, he will become the first person in the US to die by a new lethal injection.If inmate Kenneth Biros is executed as planned later on Tuesday, he will become the first person in the US to die by a new lethal injection.
Ohio overhauled its procedure after a failed execution attempt had to be halted in September.Ohio overhauled its procedure after a failed execution attempt had to be halted in September.
Executioners tried for hours to find a usable vein for injection, hitting bone and muscle in as many as 18 tries.Executioners tried for hours to find a usable vein for injection, hitting bone and muscle in as many as 18 tries.
The new regime uses a single drug rather than three in combination, with a backup plan should that fail.The new regime uses a single drug rather than three in combination, with a backup plan should that fail.
If the new injection doesn't work, executioners can inject drugs directly into muscles instead of veins.If the new injection doesn't work, executioners can inject drugs directly into muscles instead of veins.
They would go to sleep within seconds in the same way as someone who is having a general anaesthetic, but they wouldn't wake up again Anaesthetist Dr Richard BirksThey would go to sleep within seconds in the same way as someone who is having a general anaesthetic, but they wouldn't wake up again Anaesthetist Dr Richard Birks
The move could also put an end to lawsuits claiming that the state's three-drug system was capable of causing severe pain.The move could also put an end to lawsuits claiming that the state's three-drug system was capable of causing severe pain.
Injection experts and defence attorneys agree the single dose of thiopental sodium will not cause pain.Injection experts and defence attorneys agree the single dose of thiopental sodium will not cause pain.
But death penalty experts say the new method will take longer than the old one.But death penalty experts say the new method will take longer than the old one.
Humane deathHumane death
The origin of the lethal injection can be traced back to 1977 in Oklahoma.The origin of the lethal injection can be traced back to 1977 in Oklahoma.
It was the brainchild of a medical examiner who wanted to find a more humane alternative to the electric chair.It was the brainchild of a medical examiner who wanted to find a more humane alternative to the electric chair.
With the help of an expert in anaesthesia, the medic came up with a combination of three drugs, intended to produce a relatively pain-free death from respiratory and cardiac arrest.With the help of an expert in anaesthesia, the medic came up with a combination of three drugs, intended to produce a relatively pain-free death from respiratory and cardiac arrest.
The current US protocol still relies on three drugs to give the same effect - a short-acting anaesthetic called thiopental, a muscle paralyser called pancuronium bromide, and an agent called potassium chloride to stop the heart beating.The current US protocol still relies on three drugs to give the same effect - a short-acting anaesthetic called thiopental, a muscle paralyser called pancuronium bromide, and an agent called potassium chloride to stop the heart beating.
But even when delivered by seasoned executioners, experience shows the regimen does not always work as efficiently as intended.But even when delivered by seasoned executioners, experience shows the regimen does not always work as efficiently as intended.
Some prisoners have taken many minutes to die, and others have become very distressed.Some prisoners have taken many minutes to die, and others have become very distressed.
SnagsSnags
Researchers who have studied execution data and carried out lab tests believe the doses in the current regimen might be wrong.Researchers who have studied execution data and carried out lab tests believe the doses in the current regimen might be wrong.
According to Leonidas Koniaris and colleagues from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the anaesthetic element of the jab may not be fatal and the heart stopper can be too weak, meaning the patient can die from suffocation caused by the muscle paralyser.According to Leonidas Koniaris and colleagues from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the anaesthetic element of the jab may not be fatal and the heart stopper can be too weak, meaning the patient can die from suffocation caused by the muscle paralyser.
They said in a medical journal: "The Eight Amendment of the US Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.They said in a medical journal: "The Eight Amendment of the US Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.
"This paper suggests that current protocols used for lethal injection in the US probably violate this amendment.""This paper suggests that current protocols used for lethal injection in the US probably violate this amendment."
LETHAL INJECTION Used in all 36 death penalty states in the USThree-in-one injection contains an anaesthetic, muscle paralyser and a heart stopperThe new jab contains a large dose of anaesthetic aloneLETHAL INJECTION Used in all 36 death penalty states in the USThree-in-one injection contains an anaesthetic, muscle paralyser and a heart stopperThe new jab contains a large dose of anaesthetic alone
The new lethal injection contains a massive dose of the anaesthetic agent thiopental sodium.The new lethal injection contains a massive dose of the anaesthetic agent thiopental sodium.
The same drug has been used for years to put patients to sleep for surgery, but in much smaller doses.The same drug has been used for years to put patients to sleep for surgery, but in much smaller doses.
Dr Richard Birks, president of The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, said: "If you gave anyone enough thiopental it would kill them.Dr Richard Birks, president of The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, said: "If you gave anyone enough thiopental it would kill them.
"It will cause varying degrees of respiratory and cardiac depression, but the person would not be aware of this."It will cause varying degrees of respiratory and cardiac depression, but the person would not be aware of this.
"They would go to sleep within seconds in the same way as someone who is having a general anaesthetic, but they wouldn't wake up again. It would be peaceful.""They would go to sleep within seconds in the same way as someone who is having a general anaesthetic, but they wouldn't wake up again. It would be peaceful."
But he said it might take longer for them to be pronounced dead, since there would be no agent like potassium used to stop the heart beating.But he said it might take longer for them to be pronounced dead, since there would be no agent like potassium used to stop the heart beating.
In Ohio, inmates generally have taken about seven minutes to die after injection.In Ohio, inmates generally have taken about seven minutes to die after injection.
That's part of a total process lasting about 30 minutes, from the time witnesses start watching the insertion of the intravenous needles until the warden announces the time of death.That's part of a total process lasting about 30 minutes, from the time witnesses start watching the insertion of the intravenous needles until the warden announces the time of death.
Anesthesiologist Mark Dershwitz, who consulted with Ohio, estimated death with the new lethal injection could now come after 15 minutes. Anaesthesiologist Mark Dershwitz, who consulted with Ohio, estimated death with the new lethal injection could now come after 15 minutes.
The prison's spokeswoman said witnesses would be allowed to stay and watch for as long as it takes.The prison's spokeswoman said witnesses would be allowed to stay and watch for as long as it takes.