Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?

Answer 1

hmmmm .... it's cultural
john

Answer 2

I know it seems stupid when you think about it... but giving lethal injections isn't the only thing that these doctors do, so sterilized needles are all they use... and every needle that a doctor uses is already sterilized... a doctor would have to go out of his way to get a non-sterile needle. Besides, it's what they always do, so why decide not to do it for one patient? It's also more safe for the doctor to use a sterile needle.... occasionally doctors do get accidently pricked and scratched with needles, and if that needle wasn't sterile, the doctor is now in danger of getting sick from it.

Answer 3

Because it's a medically-issued needle from a hospital supply company and is issued that way.

If you're suggesting using a dirty AIDS needle, think about the danger of an accidental stick to medical personnel inserting the IV line.

Now if you want to question things, how about:

1) Why go to the trouble to hook up the accused on his last meal? Whatever the prison is serving, just give him a tray and be done with it.
2) Why does the condemned need a pillow while he's getting his lethal injection? Do we want him comfy?

Answer 4

Incase the person giving the injection accidentaly cuts himself on the needle. Furthermore, the needles all come prepackaged in sterile plastic shrink-wrap and it's more affordable to just get standard pre-sterilized hypodermics than to have special non-sterile needles just for lethal injections.

Answer 5

Because, by law, the killers need to be able to prove what caused the death. It is theoretically possible that a lethal contaminant, other than the legal poison, might be on the needle. This is why it is sterilized. If you believe this, I have a bridge to sell you.

Answer 6

does every other answerer below me not know what LETHAL means? Omg.

I am not sure exactly why, but it might be because it is more humane that just using some random needle. And if the person they are injecting gets HIV from a dirty needle, then they can not donate the person's blood or organs.

Answer 7

Because there are a lot of people who are uncomfortable with the state killing someone. They feel even the most horrible people have rights, and should be treated as fairly as a non-criminal.

They forget the agonizing times their victims suffer, and almost as bad, their victims' family and friends. They weren't there when the criminal committed his crime, and have no idea how really awful what they did was.

I think, if someone willfully and knowingly does grievous bodily harm to someone else, for no reason, they have agreed to be treated the same way. They have sacrificed their right to be treated like the rest of us.

But, to soothe the consciences of the many squeamish voters, the state tries to show concern for the criminals undesrved rights.

Answer 8

Probably to protect the people giving the injection from some disease the guy being put down might catch and pass on to the people doing the execution, good question

Answer 9

It's the stupidest thing that they ever do and I have often wondered the same thing.

I think it is for "show" and nothing more. It makes no sense. The only theory I could ever think of was maybe the doc who does the injection cleans the area so he does not get any germs...but, my guess is the doc wears gloves.

Answer 10

Very interesting question.
In fact it is illegal not to sterilize the needle, it is more of a human rights issue. Medical code number 22.
I know it does not make sense, he/ she will eventually die, but it is the law.

Answer 11

Maybe they just want to prolong the moment and create dramatic suspense before they kill the guy.

Um, people this is a LETHAL injection...you die. Aids and disease don't matter here if you gonna die.