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Ethical issues concerning pharmacological castration
REISKÝ, Daniel
This paper deals with a now very topical and much debated issue of sexual deviants, who have committed particularly serious sexual crimes and who have the opportunity to undergo treatment for their disorder using pharmacological castration (hormonal inhibition) from an ethical perspective, rid of media tint sensationalism. It also deals with people who demonstrably do not suffer from any form of sexual preference disorders (paraphilia), and yet they have committed a serious act, as those who are affected by this disorder. The objective of this paper is to highlight the issue of sexual deviants who need treatment, without being denied any human rights and, in particular, to distinguish, but not justify, the behaviour of people suffering from such disorders, which, although hardly excusable, can be understood from a certain perspective and the behaviour of healthy individuals whose actions cannot be understood even with the broadest and most benevolent view on the issue. The research was, in relation to the objectives set, carried out in the form of an anonymous quantitative questionnaire that was directed to verify defined hypotheses, in particular, whether the use of pharmacological castration is consistent with human rights, whether pharmacological castration is acceptable only with the reception of an informed consent from the patient {--} a convicted person - and the view of experts on the use of this form of treatment for sexual deviants. In order to achieve the most relevant results, the research sample consisted of physicians {--} psychiatrists and psychologists from various facilities, both outpatient and inpatient, where these deviants are treated. Only to supplement the paper and add authenticity, a qualitative research was carried out in the form of an unguided telephone interview with people {--} prisoners {--} who have committed particularly serious premeditated criminal acts and who have been treated with pharmaceuticals. The views of both the groups were then, where possible, jointly compared. The knowledge gained can be used to inform the general public better about these issues, which could prevent generalizations of individual cases and one-sided view of the nature of the issue. Also the convicted sexual deviants could benefit, knowing that they are not alone with their problem in the society.
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