Citation

Balfe M. J. Bioeth. Inq. 2016; 13(3): 449-460.

Affiliation

Department of Sociology, University College Cork, Safari Building, O' Donovan's Road, Cork, Ireland. m.balfe@ucc.ie.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Bioethics Centre, University of Otago)

DOI

10.1007/s11673-016-9729-x

PMID

27307063

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.

Language: en