A Scientific paper published in a BMJ journal (Jecker et al J Med Ethics Nov 2020) is calling for sexbots to be available on the NHS and other health care providers.

This detailed scientific review highlights that we should not be ageist about sexuality. As an introduction it emphasises that in the largest survey of its kind, it was found that more than half (53%) of adults over 65 years were sexually active and more than a quarter (27%) of 75-85 years were were interested in sexual intimacy (Lindau 2007).

The paper spotlights ways in which sexual capacities relate to central human capabilities, such as the ability to generate a personally meaningful story of one’s life; be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy; experience bodily integrity; affiliate and bond with others; feel and express a range of human emotions; and choose a plan of life. It sets forth a dignity-based argument for affording older people access to sex robots as part of reasonable efforts to support their central human capabilities at a floor level.

After considering the data for sexbots for older people or people with disabilities who have a desire to be sexually active but find it more difficult to find suitable willing partners the paper concludes:

1. Ageism and negative stereotypes about later-life sexuality, has deep historical roots in medicine and science;

2. There is a positive positive argument, grounded in capability accounts of justice, for deploying sex robots for older people with disabilities;

3. After responding to objections, sex robots are a reasonable way to support later-life sexuality for persons with disabilities.

While often depicted as a product for younger, able-bodied people, this paper is a bid for reimagining sex robots as a product for older or disabled people.

References

Jecker NS. Nothing to be ashamed of: sex robots for older adults with disabilities. J Med Ethics. 2020 Nov 16:medethics-2020-106645. doi: 10.1136/medethics-2020-106645. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33199655.

Lindau ST et al. A study of sexuality and health among older adults in the USA. N England J Med 2007:357(8):762-74

Sexuality after Cancer: Thomas R et al cancernet.co.uk