In the whizzing development of transgender rights, the issue of what we have the right to do with our own bodies sometimes comes up. Opponents to transgender reassignment surgery often label it as disfiguring, mutilation or simply aesthetic – while those who support it, especially those with gender dysphoria, count it as a need for their mental health.
This topic is not intended to debate over the validity of transgender-based body modifications but rather those of a more extreme nature. Here are some extreme examples to consider.
Body Integrity Identity Disorder – The Desire to Cripple Oneself
Body Integrity Identity Disorder (not to be confused with tumblr-grade "transabled" people) is a rare and relatively newly recognized identity disorder, which is early in research and investigation. The disorder is usually an identity disorder that starts early in life that causes the patient to believe that they are not "born correctly" and must remove a limb in order to feel normal. There are also recorded forms of desires for paralysis, blindness and deafness. As the patient ages, these feelings of discomfort become more and more difficult to manage and impose great psychological stress on the individual. Research seems to suggest that it is indeed a valid identity disorder, however the cause is still elusive.
What is intriguing in these individuals is that the desire to be disabled is so strong, that some people will go as far as to destroy their bodies in order to achieve the form that they desire. Many will go to third world countries to have risky procedures done, while others will take these issues into their own hands. Very rarely, however, a doctor may actually operate on an individual.
This practice is extremely controversial because of the permanent nature of the operation as well as the heavy implications it has on the patient's life, as well as lives around them. Most doctors turn squeamish at the idea of an individual wanting to voluntarily destroy their bodies, and the legal and ethical complications draw doctors away even further. "What if they sue me for malpractice because it didn't turn out after all?"
Another problem is that being disabled puts a large burden on the patient's life as well as those around them. Out of all of the forms, Blind BIID logically has the least effect on those around them since blindness is a condition that doesn't require dependence in most situations outside of transportation or reading, and technology is slowly closing this gap. On the other hand however, those who wish to be wheelchair bound face a myriad of issues, such as the health problems with sitting in a wheelchair all the time, and requiring help from other individuals for essentially the rest of their lives.
Unusually though, about 70% of BIID patients actually feel better after they have transitioned. These individuals feel like a massive burden has been lifted off of their lives and they can finally live the way they were "supposed" to be, while all other therapeutic techniques have little effect on the disorder itself (although it can treat comorbid conditions).
What this raises is a huge ethics issue on how to properly treat these individuals. Since the disorder itself doesn't respond well to treatment in most cases, the progression towards more and more discomfort seems almost impossible to prevent. At the same time however, the act of crippling someone for life is something that cannot be undone and, if done to the wrong person, could end up leaving them even worse than before. However, because BIID can be extremely overwhelming, especially as the patient gets older, it may be safer to offer surgery than to require the patient to cause the damage themselves.
Should patients with BIID have an option to be able to transform their bodies as they see fit, despite the fact that they desire disability?
Cyborgs and Robotic Humans
On another end of the scale is the idea of becoming part mechanical, or a "cyborg" which is the commonly used term. I can't remember the exact term for this movement but some individuals are particularly into unusual body modifications.
Technically, in current day society, there does exist "cyborgs" in a way – those with prosthetic limbs have an artificial limb so that they can function independently. However, a modification to one's body so that they can "enhance" their body as opposed to simply repairing it is quite unusual.
This may share some connections with BIID and BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder), but are likely unrelated to an identity disorder. Instead, some individuals want to modify their bodies in a way to make them essentially biological robots.
While less complicated than BIID, where does one safely go about doing this? Should people be allowed to modify their bodies as they see fit for seemingly cosmetic changes?
These are just two examples of how desire for extreme body modification. Should we have full rights to our bodies? Or should some choices not be allowed, for our safety or for the safety of others?
Feel free to add more examples by the way, I'd love to hear about other issues related to the subject.