From Gregg DuPont, Seattle, Washington, US
You report on the difficulties of finding replacement drugs for executions and hence the off-label and experimental use of fentanyl (16 December 2017, p 7).
For many decades, barbiturate drugs have been used for humane euthanasia of pets. I note that the sensation of succumbing to general anaesthetic may even be enjoyable. Using these drugs to provide a beautiful and relaxing way to end life would prevent criminals faced with the death penalty from using a defence of “cruel and unusual punishment”.
