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. 2016 Sep;13(3):449-60.
doi: 10.1007/s11673-016-9729-x. Epub 2016 Jun 16.

Why Did U.S. Healthcare Professionals Become Involved in Torture During the War on Terror?

Myles Balfe  1
Affiliations

Why Did U.S. Healthcare Professionals Become Involved in Torture During the War on Terror?

Myles Balfe. J Bioeth Inq. 2016 Sep.

Abstract

This article examines why U.S. healthcare professionals became involved in "enhanced interrogation," or torture, during the War on Terror. A number of factors are identified including a desire on the part of these professionals to defend their country and fellow citizens from future attack; having their activities approved and authorized by legitimate command structures; financial incentives; and wanting to prevent serious harm from occurring to prisoners/detainees. The factors outlined here suggest that psychosocial factors can influence health professionals' ethical decision-making.

Keywords: Deviance; Doctor; Healthcare professional; Psychologist; Torture; War on terror.

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