Could sex robots and virtual reality treat paedophilia?

Early into the Forbidden Research event, Ethan Zuckerman issued a warning. "If we make it through today without you feeling uncomfortable, then we've done something wrong," he said. Zuckerman was addressing a packed room at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab, assembled for a day devoted to "restricted scientific and cultural topics". Forbidden Research promised academic danger zones, often considered too hot or too risky to touch: covert government surveillance, genetically engineered human beings, Islam and women's rights to name a few. For my money, the most excruciating topic on the bill came in a panel just after lunch: "Sexual Deviance: Can Technology Protect Our Children?"