Governor Branstad is pushing for efforts to get tough on crime in Iowa. One of these efforts is a proposal to “chemically castrate” sex offenders.

The Iowa proposal, modeled after a new California law, would order that second-time sex offenders receive the injection. The court would also have at its discretion the ability to make first-time offenders receive the treatment.

In an effort to protect children who may fall victim to sex offenders, Branstad’s proposal would apply to repeat child molesters, who would be mandated to undergo the injections to reduce their sex drive as a condition of their parole.

Sure, keeping in mind the possibility that a sex offender may strike again may seem like reason enough to give the legal go-ahead, but several other questions cannot go unanswered. Does the injection really reduce sex drive? Will it really deter sex offenders from striking again? What about the legal, ethical and historical ramifications?

While the average citizen may think that the injection will treat people, the evidence is unsure. Studies show that the injection reduces sex drive, but it must be taken continuously. The effects wear off once the injections stop. If this happens, how are we supposed to keep track of sex offenders who need injections? What happens when a chemically-castrated sex offender strikes again?

The concern of whether the injection actually deters sex offenders is also an issue. What about complete psychopaths or sociopaths who won’t be affected by an injection when they have the urge to commit a sexual crime?

California’s law is new and hasn’t been used or contested in court. Opposition to the law, including the ACLU, claims the law is excessive punishment and cruel and unusual punishment.

Ethics and history are probably the most shocking facets of the issue. In ancient times, thieves’ hands were cut off. Haven’t we progressed since then? We have better punishments.

Currently, more than 800 Iowa inmates are sex offenders, and 1,600 more are on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry, just created in 1995. Instead of invoking a sentence that doesn’t change values and doesn’t necessarily deter criminals, maybe we should toughen the current penalties. It’s smart to let the public know where convicted sex offenders live. If lawmakers think sex offenders are a danger to society, keep them in jail — away from society.