THE use of electric shock therapy to 'cure' homosexuality is as outdated as the thinking behind it. It is based on the principle that homosexuality is an illness that can be cured. Not only is this a false assumption, but a dangerous one. There is, as yet, no scientific proof that shock therapy works as a treatment for any mental illness, let alone curing homosexual tendencies. Yet such treatment is available in the territory to those who seek it. What is more, it can be had through the publicly-funded Queen Mary Hospital, which suggests that it has the full blessing of the Government.
Experts, including those in Hong Kong, acknowledge that there is no proof shock therapy can change an individual's sexual preferences. Its only use appears to be to provide solace to individuals deeply troubled about their sexuality and are seeking to alter it. So far, 20 people have been so troubled by their 'abnormality' that they have undergone the treatment, none with much success. But surely, shock therapy does more harm than good because it leaves the individual feeling guilt-ridden and ashamed if their 'problem' has not been fixed. Wouldn't a better way to help such troubled souls be to provide extensive counselling so that they can come to terms with their sexuality and learn to live with it responsibly? It is time the Government banned such a cruel and Dickensian treatment. As long as it is still available it can only damage Hong Kong's reputation as a sophisticated and modern society.