In the classic film Barbarella, citizens of a planet had become a sex-less society, using pills to replace sexual intercourse, as well as employing “excessive pleasure” machines to induce sexual gratification to the point of death. This film was considered science-fiction in 1968, but in 2018 it is increasingly becoming a reality, as technology in a new and somewhat radical adult entertainment industry is slowly duplicating its plot line.

The Toronto Sun reported on August 30th that a controversial brothel set to open earlier in September in North York, Toronto, Canada was shut down preemptively by city officials, stating that bylaws prohibit “adult entertainment” parlors from setting up shop. The controversy also surrounds this brothel’s employees, which are not human, but technologically advanced sex dolls.

Aura Dolls Brothel set off a firestorm of debate when they advertised an opening of September 8-15th and outlined their pricing for an hour of sexual interaction with one or two of their high-tech faux females. Pricing for one hour with a realistic doll was set at $120, with two dolls setting the customer back twice that amount.

The uproar spread further, especially among sex workers in legal brothels elsewhere. In an article by Mallory Hall, Allissa, a sex worker employed at legal brothel Sheri’s Ranch, called sex doll brothels “dehumanizing” and explained that “sex workers offer more than just a simulation of a woman, we offer authentic intimacy and two-way affection that our clients deeply crave and sincerely benefit from.” Interestingly, according to science, she may be right on target.

In a U.K. study done by St. George’s University Hospitals National Health Service and the Women’s Health Academic Centre at King’s College, the notion that high-tech human-like sex dolls could have benefits for those who are unable to enjoy a satisfying sex life due to a variety of reasons is based on hypothesis — not science. They go as far as to say the use of such glorified sex toys may actually have an adverse effect, causing an increase in an already lacking sense of intimacy because sex dolls cannot reciprocate feelings and desire.

Other countries are battling the legal quagmire as well. In an article published by The SUN, Lumidoll, a doll brothel in Italy, claims it will reopen after being shutdown by police responding to alleged infringements of Italian property law. This closure occurred even though prostitution is legal in Italy. This situation may attest to the ethical landmine artificial/human companionship brings to light.

Lumidoll also has a brothel in Moscow, Russia and has plans to open other brothels across the globe. The firm claims that customers can barely discern between their sex dolls and real women and say that their brothel allows men to fulfill their wildest fantasies without the issues surrounding interaction with humans.

Back in the U.K., the team of researchers also expressed concern over this “no-holds-barred” attitude expressed by sex doll brothel entrepreneurs.

They theorize that these dolls, having an artificially flawless appearance and 100 percent compliance with any sexual fantasy, legal or otherwise, will shift a user’s perception of what “normal” and “attractive” is in a potential human partner. The researchers also worry that the unrestrained behavior conducted with an inanimate doll may spill over into the real world, causing more assaults and violence against women and children.

It is shockingly apparent that the plots of certain classic sci-fi flicks may now be resurfacing as a modern reality. This perception is not surprising, as the debate around other controversial technology such as cloning, has come to the forefront on the dockets of medical and science ethics committees worldwide.

Although sex dolls have always been around, the ethics surrounding these new high-tech versions somewhat parallel cloning. Just because we have the technology to do it (build sex robots) should we? And what implications will this debate have on other iterations of artificial/human companionship, if any? The line between sex dolls and other types of masturbators is not as defined as we may think…

Image via Bruno De Lorenzo.