Ethical Evaluation of an Experiment: The Aversion Project

Ethical Evaluation of The Aversion Project
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Ethical Evaluation of The Aversion Project
The Aversion Project in South Africa was one of the most controversial experiments in the world that violated the American Psychological Association (APA) professional code of ethics. Indeed, it was a medical torture program led by Dr. Aubrey Levin during the apartheid period. From 1960 to 1991, numerous South Africans serving in the South African Defense Force (SADF) became permanent members. However, during this period, homosexuality was illegal. Specifically, psychiatrists and psychologists supported The Aversion Project since they believed that homosexuality was a mental disorder. Evaluating The Aversion Project is crucial to show the APA codes of ethics that were violated. Based on the APA’s ethical standards, human rights should not be violated under any circumstances even during gender reassignment surgeries or hormone treatments. Most importantly, no treatment should be administered to individuals without their consent. The paper focuses on how The Aversion Project was against the ethics codes of professionals as laid down by the APA.
During the apartheid era, homosexuality was believed to be a mental disorder, which was something stated in the APA’s “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Diseases” (Zyl et al., 1999). The SADF perceived homosexuality as disruptive to soldiers and it was destined and authorized to cure gay soldiers of this mental disorder. In that light, gay soldiers became conscripted into The Aversion Project through manipulation or without their consent. Between 1971 and 1989, gay soldiers were sent to military hospitals to be cured (Zyl et al., 1999). The treatment methods used included electric shock therapy and chemical castration. For sure, these soldiers were handled in inhuman ways during their treatment by exposing them to physical and psychological torture. When the rehabilitation efforts failed, patients suffered from the gender reassignment procedure, which they did not sign for in the first place. During surgeries, soldiers were left naked on the operating table even after the completion of the treatment procedures. However, to make the matter worse, the gender reassignment surgery and rehabilitation to exterminate homosexuality did not succeed. Some patients were abandoned after they had undergone half of the gender reassignment surgery. Consequently, the outcome of such atrocious human rights violations had detrimental impacts on soldiers’ physical and mental health, resulting in some of them committing suicide.
Non-maleficence and beneficence are highlighted by the APA’s professional code of ethics, which prohibits psychologists or healthcare providers from inflicting any harm to their patients. Physicians are entitled to provide quality healthcare services to their patients (American Psychological Association, 2017). They should safeguard human rights under all circumstances and take the responsibility for harm that they might cause to their patients intentionally or unintentionally. In addition, healthcare providers are restricted from offering treatment or performing any medical procedure on patients without their consent. In the scenario of The Aversion Project, psychologists and other healthcare providers violated the principles of non-maleficence and beneficence. Although the APA’s DSM defined homosexuality as a mental disorder, soldiers were not supposed to be handled inhumanly. Gay soldiers were conscripted or manipulated to engage in homosexuality rehabilitation. They were not given the choice to choose whether to participate in the program or not. These patients were given numerous medications to alter their body hormones, electric shock therapy, and chemical castration. They were treated much worse than animals. When the rehabilitation efforts failed, gender reassignment surgeries were initiated without prior notice or preparation.
The Aversion Project did not emphasize respect for human rights, dignity, and integrity. Psychologists are expected to treat their patients with dignity and observe their human rights to self-determination, confidentiality, and privacy. They should promote honesty, truthfulness, and accuracy in the way they practice medicine (American Psychological Association, 2017). These healthcare professionals should not manipulate, coerce, or engage in fraudulent activities. They should always minimize patient harm and maximize health benefits. During the apartheid period, gay soldiers’ integrity and dignity were not observed. Despite these individuals dedicating their lives to protecting their country, they were tortured in what was believed to be rehabilitation from homosexuality. For instance, they were not allowed to decide the treatment methods they wanted and were subjected to medical procedures that were not tested and approved. In other words, gay soldiers were used as test subjects. During gender reassignment surgeries, these people were left naked on the operating table. Healthcare providers violated their privacy and confidentiality. Moreover, gay soldiers were not counseled to prepare them psychologically for the harsh treatment methods.
The APA’s professional code of ethics entitles psychologists to fidelity and responsibility. Healthcare providers should develop relationships with their colleagues and be aware of their scientific and professional responsibilities. They should uphold ethical standards, be accountable for their actions, and clarify their professional obligations...