Ethics of Elective Limb Amputation for BIID

Going Out on A Limb for Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) Individuals: Is It Ethically Justifiable to Provide an Individual with BIID Elective Limb Amputation?

Tamanna Zaman

The desire to amputate a seemingly healthy limb is a concept that is inherently ‘bizarre’ but one that in reality is experienced by individuals suffering with Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID). While the pathophysiology of the condition is unclear, its management with requests by BIID sufferers for therapeutic amputations in particular has garnered considerable controversy. The notion of elective amputation as a method of treatment raises moral discomfort given its irreversible disabling nature yet, it is evident that ultimately, the issues are one of perception. As such, through the utilisation of Beauchamp and Childress’ four principles framework, this essay will refute the misconceptions that are primarily associated with the condition in order to disrupt the reluctance that elective amputation is faced with. In doing so, the negative narrative of this ‘bizarre’ desire will be reversed with the proposition that the provision of elective amputation of a limb albeit healthy can be ethically justified in circumstances of BIID where it is in the individual’s best interests.

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