NYT: Guantánamo Tour Focuses on Medical Ethics

[Rose Siding]

snip>
The purpose of the trip, some of the participants said, was for the military leadership to convince the ethicists, psychiatrists, psychologists and others who visited the detention camp at the United States Naval Station in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, that what was occurring there did not violate medical ethics and was necessary to strengthen the nation's security.

But many participants seem not to have been convinced. Dr. Steven S. Sharfstein, the president of the American Psychiatric Association, who went on the trip, said that the group's members' assembly voted unanimously on Saturday to recommend a strict code against participation in some of the activities described in news reports. Dr. Sharfstein said that the recommendation was certain to be adopted by the association's board next month, making it official policy.

He said the main concern was the use of military psychiatrists as members of Behavioral Science Consultation Teams, known as biscuit teams, to advise interrogators at Guantánamo.

"Our position is very direct," Dr. Sharfstein said. "Psychiatrists should not participate on these biscuit teams because it is inappropriate."...........

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/13/national/13gitmo.html

[babylonsister]

1. Damn, the admin got snagged again! They

can't do anything 'right'.

[madrchsod]

2. the soviet psychiatrists and psychologists

were banned from the international organization to attend conferences and submitting research papers. just one more brick in the wall around our country

[maddezmom]

3. these visits are a farce

from the article:
Participants on the medical tour on Oct. 19 said they were flown to Guantánamo in the early morning and spent a few hours viewing the facility and speaking with officers. But they said they did not talk with any detainees and saw them only from a distance. They then flew back to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland for dinner and a discussion.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Doctors get a look at Guantanamo

November 13, 2005

Doctors get a look at Guantanamo
Many tour participants not convinced coercive interrogations are necessary

By Neil A. Lewis
The New York Times
WASHINGTON -- Troubled by news accounts of medical participation in coercive interrogations at Guantanamo Bay and the resulting unease in the professional medical community, the Pentagon led an intense one-day tour of the detention camp last month, several participants said in recent days.

The purpose of the trip, some of the participants said, was for the military leadership to convince the ethicists, psychiatrists, psychologists and others who visited the detention camp at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, that what was occurring there did not violate medical ethics and was necessary to strengthen the nation's security.

Many participants seem not to have been convinced. Dr. Steven S. Sharfstein, the president of the American Psychiatric Association, who went on the trip, said the group's members' assembly voted unanimously Saturday to recommend a strict code against participation in some of the activities described in news reports. Sharfstein said the recommendation was certain to be adopted by the association's board next month.

He said the main concern was the use of military psychiatrists as members of Behavioral Science Consultation Teams, known as biscuit teams, to advise interrogators at Guantanamo.
(snip/...)

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051113/NEWS06/511130480/1012/NEWS06

[Moderator]

5. kick

[Judi Lynn]

6. Physicians' role in interrogation debated

Physicians' role in interrogation debated
WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Leaders of U.S. medical groups who recently visited Guantanamo Bay, are debating the ethics of medical experts' involvement in questioning prisoners.

The Oct. 19 visit to the U.S. Navy detention facility included meetings with officials and two psychologists who served as consultants during interrogations with detainees, reports The Washington Post.

After the visit, the leaders of the medical groups said psychiatrists and psychologists had aided the interrogators often by applying their insights into human behavior to break the will of prisoners, the report said.

Articles in leading medical journals and forums have said that doctors and behavioral scientists have violated ethical norms while interrogating terrorism suspects at the behest of the U.S. government and become "complicit in torture." The American Psychiatric Association says that psychiatrists should never participate in coercive interrogations, or even lend advice.
(snip/...)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=TopNews&article=UPI-1-20051114-10185500-bc-us-interrogators.xml

[bmbmd]

7. I am speechless.

Sp much for the Hippocratic oath. They should lose their licenses, but nothing will happen.

[ElectroPrincess]

8. Isn't it part of a Medical Doctor's OATH to "do no harm."

We have some "very sicko" leaders if we make seemingly EVERYTHING RELATIVE? That is, the only endorsed criterion to make something "off limits" is that it does NOT favor the interests of THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION? Is our Dear Leader and his ultra-wealthy friends considered The Center of The Universe?!?

How much will the sheeple tolerate?

These immoral people are shameless.

IMO Impeach NOW! :puke: