Evidence Against Nitrogen’s Use for the Death Penalty

Forced nitrogen inhalation was used by the state of Alabama to execute Kenneth Smith on January 25, 2024. Some politicians, attorneys general, and health care practitioners support its use for capital punishment in the US. Philip E. Bickler, MD, PhD, and Michael S. Lipnick, MD, discuss the evidence indicating that forced nitrogen inhalation is inhumane with JAMA Executive Editor Gregory Curfman, MD.

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• Evidence Against Use of Nitrogen for the Death Penalty