Fact check: Why isn't carbon monoxide gas used for executions? It seems like it would be one of the most humane methods.

1. Summary of the results

The question of using carbon monoxide for executions is more complex than it might initially appear. While some medical professionals, like Neal Nicol (Jack Kevorkian's assistant), argue that it could provide a "totally painless, placid, non-invasive" death where the body doesn't recognize oxygen deprivation ^[1], there are significant practical and historical concerns that have prevented its adoption ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial contextual elements are missing from the original question:

• There are serious safety concerns for prison staff and witnesses due to carbon monoxide being an odorless poisonous gas that could accidentally harm others through leakage ^[2]
• The method carries problematic historical associations with Nazi practices, which could make its adoption politically and ethically controversial ^[2]
• While Dr. Kevorkian's assistant advocated for this method, execution expert Deborah Denno warns that methods that work in assisted suicide may not necessarily translate effectively to prison execution protocols ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement makes two potentially misleading assumptions:

1. That the technical feasibility of a method automatically makes it practical for institutional use - this overlooks crucial implementation challenges and risks to prison staff ^[2]

2. That "humaneness" is the primary consideration in choosing execution methods - while important, historical associations, practical safety concerns, and institutional constraints also play major roles in determining execution protocols ^{[2] [1]}

The question also overlooks that different stakeholders have different perspectives:

• Medical professionals like Neal Nicol focus on the physiological experience of the condemned ^[1]
• Prison administrators must consider staff safety and practical implementation ^[2]
• Historical/ethical experts raise concerns about associations with past atrocities ^[2]