Abstract
The first unit gives an overview of current realities and issues regarding torture and the involvement of doctors, giving us a sense of the challenges facing the medical profession. Here in this chapter we look at global considerations, such as the extent to which torture takes place around the world and the fact that doctors have enabled this practice. Countries practicing torture range over the map and though few defend it, many put it to use. And doctors have played a role—both actively and passively—in allowing torture to become normalized and systemic. For example, Drs. Jessen and Mitchell (psychologist-architects of “enhanced interrogation” including waterboarding) highlight the seriousness of the matter.
I don’t think we had any idea doctors were involved to this extent, and it will shock most physicians.
—George J. Annas.
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Teays, W. (2019). Global Considerations. In: Doctors and Torture. International Library of Ethics, Law, and the New Medicine, vol 80. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22517-9_3
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