Medical Involvement in acts of torture or degrading treatment of human beings: forensic and medical reflections

The following chapter condenses the reflections about the legitimacy of torture, a theme that the authors hope to contribute to in the opening of a debate on this important issue for the future of medicine and for the goals that medicine sets for itself in our time. The topic off this article is relevant to the debate exacerbated by the tragic events of 2001. In the case off capture of terrorists in possession of information regarding imminent attacks, is it permissible to subject them to torture? In what situations and under what conditions is it possible? We will report on the requirements of the critics of the international ban and the justifications for their arguments. We will present the criticisms of those who defend the maintenance off the prohibition off torture. Similarly we will discuss the positions of doctors who are favorable and adverse to participation in procedures of torture.