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Psychologists, Doctors Helped With Interrogations

Role of medical professionals in CIA program angers peers

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 18, 2009 10:19 AM CDT

(Newser) – Psychologists and physicians who assisted the CIA's harsh interrogation program are being accused of violating the most basic principles of their professions, the Washington Post reports. The newly released CIA memos confirm that on-site psychologists—generally contract workers with the agency—took an active role in the program, offering ideas and advice on how to break prisoners.

Medical doctors supervised some interrogations and had the authority to stop them if they deemed it medically necessary. Some doctors and ethicists are calling for the health professionals involved to be barred from practicing again. "In terms of ethics, it's not even a close call," said a professor of health law and bioethics.

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Newly released records reveal that CIA psychologists took an active role in guiding the agency's harsh interrogation program. (Shutter Stock)

A psychologist advised CIA interrogators on the most effective ways to break the will of captured al-Qaeda member Abu Zubaydah, according to newly released memos. (AP Photo/U.S. Central Command)

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The health professionals involved in the CIA program broke the law and shame the bedrock ethical traditions of medicine and psychology.
- Frank Donaghue, chief executive of Physicians for Human Rights

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 3 comments

wwwonderer

Apr 20, 2009 4:05 AM CDT

I understand the sentiment about them being dealt with professionally. But I have to interject another viewpoint. Suppose YOU told the US Government You wouldn't abide by these practices. I can imagine any on of those doctors in the same boat as a terrorist: being held as an "enemy combatant". It wouldn't shock me that some medical professionals DID have reservations about this, and may have been black listed or worse. After all, you're either with torture or you're against it.

Mad

Apr 19, 2009 1:28 AM CDT

I agree with the assessment of striping them of their professional degrees. How can any ethical practitioner of medicine have anything to do with this horror is beyond me.

Mr.C

Apr 18, 2009 6:35 AM CDT

Wait, how is a Doctor surpervising an interrogation with the ability to stop it unethical - It seems better than if the Doctor wasn't there - why should he be blamed. For the Psychologists it may be another story.

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CIA • International Committee of the Red Cross • interrogation techniques • Abu Zubaydah • harsh interrogation • psychologist • medical ethics • torture memo

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Psychologists, Doctors Helped With Interrogations