Chemical castration?

[fishtail]

Is proposed as a (treatment) for child abusers in the UK, how does it work?

 

[redarmy11]

It's to be offered voluntarily to known sex offenders, presumably in exchange for greater freedoms. Not sure if it's a pill, an injection or administered in some other form, but the effects aren't permanent - they wear off when treatment stops. It's already being used in several European countries and the US:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6746965.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4170963.stm

 

[fishtail]

I thought it would be permanent like surgical

 

[redarmy11]

Nope. Simply a chemical that represses sexual desire. Which assumes that child abuse stems from a sexual urge. Which isn't proven. So it's questionable whether castration - temporary or permanent - would be effective.

Discuss.