A Texas psychologist could lose his licence for helping the Bush Administration design torture programs for terror suspects imprisoned in Guantanamo. The Texas State Board of Psychologists is studying the case of Dr James E. Mitchell, who is currently under investigation by the Department of Justice.

According to a complaint lodged by two lawyers and a psychologist, Dr Mitchell used his experience in designing programs for US servicemen to resist torture to break detainees. The techniques included sexual humiliation and waterboarding. His accusers allege that Dr Mitchell misrepresented his qualifications to the CIA and placed “his own career and financial aspirations above the safety of others” while designing a “torture regime” with a “complete lack of scientific basis.”

The American Psychological Association has stated that if Dr Mitchell had been a member (he is not) and if the accusations are true, he would have been expelled. Its ethical guidelines ban inhumane or abusive treatment, a spokeswoman said. There “are no circumstances in which that isn’t the case,” – not even war or threat of terrorism. ~ New York Times, Nov 13