NCJ Number
69358
Date Published
1980
Length
26 pages
Annotation
THE ORIGINS AND PROLIFERATION OF THE THERAPEUTIC IDEAL FOR DEALING WITH CRIMINALS, BIOMEDICS, BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION, BIOTECHNICS, AND ASSOCIATED PROGRAMS OF CRIME CONTROL ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
CESARE LOMBROSO LAID THE SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOMIEDICS IN CRIMINOLOGY, THEREBY MAKING POSSIBLE THE EXTENTSION OF THE STATE'S PARENS PATRIAE POWER OVER THOSE EXHIBITING ABERRANT BEHAVIOR. WIDESPREAD DISSATISFACTION WITH THE REHABILITATIVE IDEAL HAS COUNTERED THE BIOMEDICAL TRADITION, WITH ANTIREHABILITATION FORCES SUCCESSFULLY DEMONSTRATING THE MORAL BANKRUPTCY OF AN IDEAL THAT FAILED TO REHABILITATE CRIMINALS OR CURE MENTAL PATIENTS. THE MAIN THRUST OF THEIR CRITICISM HAS BEEN THAT IT IS IMMORAL TO TINKER WITH THE 'WHOLE' PERSON, THAT THE LAW SHOULD BE CONCERNED ONLY WITH THE PERSON'S CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, NOT HIS VALUES, ATTITUDES, OR PERSONALITY. ONCE BIOMEDICS AND BIOTECHNOLOGICAL CONTROL OF CRIME HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED TO BE EFFECTIVE AND PRACTICAL, HOWEVER, THE REHABILITATIVE IDEAL WILL PROBABLY REASSERT ITSELF. BIOMEDICS USES MEDICAL TECHNIQUES (SURGERY AND MEDICINE) TO ALTER HUMAN BEHAVIOR, AND BIOTECHNOLOGY INVOLVES THE IMPLANTATION OF ELECTRODES INTO THE BRAIN. THE BRAIN IS THEN STIMULATED ELECTRICALLY UNTIL THE UNWANTED BEHAVIOR IS LOCATED AND THE EMOTIONAL RESPONSIVENESS ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNWANTED BEHAVIOR IS BLUNTED. ALTHOUGH THERE WILL BE PHILOSOPHICAL AND EHTICAL OBJECTIONS TO SUCH MEANS OF CONTROLLING CRIMINALITY, THE ABSENCE OF ANY OTHER EFFECTIVE MEANS OF DEALING WITH CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR WILL STRENGTHEN THE APPEAL OF BIOMEDICAL TECHNIQUES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, PARTICULARLY AS THEY DEVELOP AS PROVEN METHODS OF BEHAVIORAL CONTROL. FIVE SUGGESTED READINGS ARE LISTED.