Chemical castration
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Chemical castration is a form of temporary castration caused by certain hormonal drugs. It was developed as a temporary preventive measure or punishment, typically for male child sex offenders and rapists.
Depo Provera, a progestin; and tamoxifen, a drug also used in breast cancer, are the drugs most commonly used today for sex offenders. Depo Provera acts on the brain to inhibit hormones that stimulate the testicles to produce Testosterone; whereas Tamoxifen works by blocking the aromatase enzyme. Depo Provera also neutralises all testosterone so none can be converted to estrogen by the aromatase enzyme. The herb chrysin also works by blocking the aromatase enzyme. Spironolactone, a diuretic, also is an effective testosterone blocker.
Chemical castration also occurs as a natural consequence of hormone treatment for male-to-female transsexualism. However, unlike the treatment used on sex offenders, the hormones commonly used lead to permanent infertility.
Some parasitic trematodes chemically castrate their host; see microphallus.
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[edit] Chemical Castration in the United States
According to Jeffrey Kirchmeier, at least six states have experimented with chemical castration laws in the United States. Those states are California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, and Montana. California was the first state to use chemical castration as a punishment for pedophiles. In California, judges may require first-time offenders to undergo chemical castration. After a second offense treatment is mandatory.[1] In Iowa and Florida chemical castration is available in all cases involving serious sex offenses. As in California treatment is mandatory after a second offense. [2] [3]
[edit] Criticism
Though generally considered more humane than surgical castration, chemical castration has attracted a number of critics.
The American Civil Liberties Union opposes the coerced administration of any drug, including antiandrogen drugs for sex offenders. They argued in 1997 that forced chemical castration was a "cruel and unusual punishment," and thereby constitutionally prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. They also stated that it interfered with sex offenders' "right to procreate," and could expose users to various health problems.
Large doses are required to be effective in men. Most men will receive 400mg to 500mg per week, equal to 2.5 ml in each buttock. In some cases, men given oral doses as high as 700 mg/day have still reported regular sexual arousal and fantasies.
[edit] Side Effects
The use of Depo-Provera can cause several side effects including weight gain, fatigue, thromboembolism, malaise, hypertension, mild depression, hypoglycemia and rare changes in liver enzymes.
In most men the use of Tamoxifen will produce no side effects. In rare cases it may result in headaches, nausea, vomiting or skin rash. Weight loss has also been reported in men due to reversal of the bloating effect of excess estrogen caused by fluid retention.
In addition to ethical concerns, chemical castration may increase blood pressure in males, sometimes to dangerous levels. Other side effects, such as the formation of abnormal fat deposits in the liver, are being investigated.[citation needed]
