Chemical castration.

Chemical castration is a form of punishment and rehabilitation for criminals such as child molesters, rapists and other sex offenders. The first known use was in 1944 with the drug called diethylstilbestrol, which was used to lower male testosterone. The use of chemicals to castrate differs than normal castration where the testes are actually removed. Chemical castration is the use of a chemical called cyproterone or the birth-control drug Depo-Provera. When used by men, these drugs can reduce sex drive, compulsive sexual fantasies, and capacity for sexual arousal.

An experiment done by P. Gagne on 48 males, in which they were to undergo 12 months of medroxyprogesterone acetate, a form of chemical castration was such a success that the researchers asked for it to be a legal form of punishment. After their 12 month period all showed signs of decreased sexual needs, sexual fantasies, and greater control over their sex drives. The research also showed that after the procedure had finished the men still showed signs of decreasing sexual desires; the males still did not show any signs of adverse side effects.

Many individuals and groups have fought against the chemical castration idea noting that it violates the 8th and 14th amendment. They say it violates the 8th amendment of cruel and unusual punishment when the chemical castration is ordered for an offender and the offender in-turn loses the chance of procreation. They also state that it’s a violation of the 14th amendment of due process of law. The argue that this procedure is disproportionate because this process falls mostly on males.

Nine states in the United States have used the chemical castration process; California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Oregon, Texas, Wisconsin. California was the first state to use chemical castration as a punishment for sex offenders. They used in cases where the victim was under the age of 13. Judges in California may require the offender to undergo chemical castration after their first offense, but after their second offense the procedure is mandatory

I do agree with this form of punishment, after looking at the research to this procedure it seems to me that it would work. I do believe it needs to be well mandated and similar to other harsh punishments the guilt of the offender needs to be proven without a doubt. With sexual offending becoming such a threat to our society and the ever changing desires of certain individuals we need to find a way to help offenders before they offend. That being so hard I do believe this procedure is a good idea and needs to be looked into for some offender’s punishment.