Towards the end of 2008, with the US Supreme Court examining whether the lethal injection is causing prisoners to die in unnecessary pain, BBC Horizon & Michael Portillo decided to do an investigation into the various means of execution used around the world. The former UK Conservative Party MP started off the program wanting to find out what the most humane way is, and along the way he studies the different methods, with the help of various scientists and experts, and at times getting a taste of what its like himself in an attempt at pushing the limits personally. Doing this show probably put 10 yrs on him. Its clear he felt a bit of pain along the way!