Behave Baby! Don't Shag Fembots, Campaign Rallies Against Immoral Carnal Knowledge Of The Machine
Sexual fembots don't exist outside of Hollywood movies, but just in case they ever become a reality, robot ethicists (yes, there's such a thing) are already campaigning against having sex with robots. Those who support the "Campaign Against Sex Robots" feel that shagging with a scrap of parts resembling a person is unethical and "will contribute to gender inequalities in society."
The campaign was borne out of a research paper by Kathleen Richardson, a senior research fellow in the ethics of robotics at De Montfort University in Leicester, England. In it she points out that there are several initiatives currently in place to develop sex robots. This is a problem, Richardson says, because "the development of sex robots will further reinforce relations of power that do not recognize both parties as human subjects," as is the case in the prostitution world.
An opposing argument is that sex robots might take the place of human prostitutes, of which three quarters are between 13 and 25 years old, according to Richardson. However, she rejects the idea based on studies showing "that the introduction of new technology supports and contributes to the expansion of the sex industry" which now has more women participating than at any other time in history.
"The arguments that sex robots will provide artificial sexual substitutes and reduce the purchase of sex by buyers is not borne out by evidence," Richardson notes in her research paper. "There are numerous sexual artificial substitutes already available, RealDolls, vibrators, blow-up dolls etc., If an artificial substitute reduced the need to buy sex, there would be a reduction in prostitution but no such correlation is found."
However, not everyone shares Richardson's view. In particular, David Levy, author of the book Love and Sex with Robots, believes that sex robots will become commonplace within the next 35 years and that it's a good thing.
"There is an increasing number of people who find it difficult to form relationships and this will fill a void. It is not demeaning to women any more than vibrators are demeaning," Levy told the BBC.
Douglas Hines, CEO of True Companion, home of the world's first sex robot, agrees with Levy. Hines told the BBC that his company isn't looking to supplant a wife or replace anyone's girlfriend.
"This is a solution for people who are between relationships or someone ho has lost a spouse... People can find happiness and fulfillment other than via human interactions, Hines says.
The campaign was borne out of a research paper by Kathleen Richardson, a senior research fellow in the ethics of robotics at De Montfort University in Leicester, England. In it she points out that there are several initiatives currently in place to develop sex robots. This is a problem, Richardson says, because "the development of sex robots will further reinforce relations of power that do not recognize both parties as human subjects," as is the case in the prostitution world.
An opposing argument is that sex robots might take the place of human prostitutes, of which three quarters are between 13 and 25 years old, according to Richardson. However, she rejects the idea based on studies showing "that the introduction of new technology supports and contributes to the expansion of the sex industry" which now has more women participating than at any other time in history.
"The arguments that sex robots will provide artificial sexual substitutes and reduce the purchase of sex by buyers is not borne out by evidence," Richardson notes in her research paper. "There are numerous sexual artificial substitutes already available, RealDolls, vibrators, blow-up dolls etc., If an artificial substitute reduced the need to buy sex, there would be a reduction in prostitution but no such correlation is found."
However, not everyone shares Richardson's view. In particular, David Levy, author of the book Love and Sex with Robots, believes that sex robots will become commonplace within the next 35 years and that it's a good thing.
"There is an increasing number of people who find it difficult to form relationships and this will fill a void. It is not demeaning to women any more than vibrators are demeaning," Levy told the BBC.
Douglas Hines, CEO of True Companion, home of the world's first sex robot, agrees with Levy. Hines told the BBC that his company isn't looking to supplant a wife or replace anyone's girlfriend.
"This is a solution for people who are between relationships or someone ho has lost a spouse... People can find happiness and fulfillment other than via human interactions, Hines says.
