Why do they sterilize the needles for lethal injections?
Oh do I love ponderables! This is a fun one with a fairly simple answer. It all comes down to economics. It doesn’t make sense for a needle manufacturer to create unsterile needles. The market for lethal injections is incredibly small. In 2006, there were 52 executions. Out of those 52, 51 were executed by lethal injections. Typically (I did my research for this entry!) there are two IVs administered to the patient. One serves as a back-up in case there is a problem with the first IV (and there have been plenty, check out this website: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?scid=8&did=478 ) That means there were about 102 needles needed nation wide for the purposes of execution.
102 is a very small number. Needles are often purchased by organizations such as hospitals, clinics, institutions and even prisons by the gross, and thousand. It’s common knowledge that buying in bulk will save consumers money. Therefore buying a second type, and smaller amount, of needles besides the typical sterile would only be more costly. Manufacturers would be required to add a new method of production, labeling, marketing etc. All of these being very costly. Even if these needles were acquired free of charge, people would have to pay special attention as to where these unsafe needles were as to not cross contaminate them with safe needles. Imagine what could happen if dirty needles were placed with sterile needles! Handlers of these needles must also take great caution. A possible costly lawsuit awaits with the prick of a finger.
While the thought of using a sterile needle for a lethal injection seems silly, it is more economical and safe for the handlers in the long run. A boring answer to a fun question!
Oh do I love ponderables! This is a fun one with a fairly simple answer. It all comes down to economics. It doesn’t make sense for a needle manufacturer to create unsterile needles. The market for lethal injections is incredibly small. In 2006, there were 52 executions. Out of those 52, 51 were executed by lethal injections. Typically (I did my research for this entry!) there are two IVs administered to the patient. One serves as a back-up in case there is a problem with the first IV (and there have been plenty, check out this website: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?scid=8&did=478 ) That means there were about 102 needles needed nation wide for the purposes of execution.
102 is a very small number. Needles are often purchased by organizations such as hospitals, clinics, institutions and even prisons by the gross, and thousand. It’s common knowledge that buying in bulk will save consumers money. Therefore buying a second type, and smaller amount, of needles besides the typical sterile would only be more costly. Manufacturers would be required to add a new method of production, labeling, marketing etc. All of these being very costly. Even if these needles were acquired free of charge, people would have to pay special attention as to where these unsafe needles were as to not cross contaminate them with safe needles. Imagine what could happen if dirty needles were placed with sterile needles! Handlers of these needles must also take great caution. A possible costly lawsuit awaits with the prick of a finger.
While the thought of using a sterile needle for a lethal injection seems silly, it is more economical and safe for the handlers in the long run. A boring answer to a fun question!
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