Ethical and Legal Aspects of Sex with Sexbots

The sexual robots are modern masturbation tools with maximum physical similarity with human samples that have saturated the market of sex products. The aim of producing these products is to satisfy individuals' sexual desires (ranging from ordinary citizens and persons with disabilities) and to eliminate emotional gaps.

In this review study, relevant and published articles were purposely searched and retrieved, and then ethical arguments for and against sex with sexbots were discussed and criticized from a principlist approach.

From the perspective of pros and cons, the robots firstly are in respect of human autonomy; secondly have positive functions such as protecting women and family entities, proper marriage substitutes for people who lack the ability to form family, preventing sexual crimes and treating some patients; thirdly they never result in harm; and finally using sex robots help in sex justice in society. On the other hand, according to opposition, the popularity of such robots is against human nature and more than probable benefits have disadvantages like increase in loneliness of individuals and destroying the family. Furthermore they will never satisfy the full satisfaction of the individual. Legally, some jurists consider the sex relationship with robots as criminal under the title of “Outraging Public Chastity” (Art 638) but it seems doubtful. Ethical Considerations: Authenticity of the texts, honesty and confidentiality has been observed in this study.

Although, sexual robots have some positive functions, but because of the more negative effects they pursue, alongside the legal moralism and religious considerations, they are considered an immoral option. In the Iranian criminal law, it is not easy to recognize of special title to punish sex with sexual robots.