JACKSON VICTIM OF STEROID USE?

Michael Jackson's bizarre behavior may be at least partially the result of long-term steroid use. If so, this could not only explain much of his weird behavior but also suggest a legal basis for a plea of innocent in any forthcoming criminal proceeding. This is according to Dr. Stephen Juan, an anthropologist at the University of Sydney and author of several books on the body and the brain.

It has long been known that long-term steroid use can psychologically affect the user and seriously impair judgment. Jackson has almost certainly been taking steroids for many years to treat his skin condition known as vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin condition involving the appearance of numerous white splotches on the body. The steroids lighten the rest of the skin's surface and thus "smooth out" the skin and make it lighter throughout the entire body. Jackson for many years has claimed that vitiligo treatments have had the side affect of turning his skin white and that he has never intended his skin to be white.

Doctors have for many years warned about the dangers of steroid use when it is not medically necessary. Steroids can have negative physical and psychological affects. One of the psychological affects is poor judgment. Jackson has on numerous occasions exhibited poor judgment. Sometimes such poor judgment has placed children in danger such as last year when he dangled his infant son over a hotel balcony in front of screaming fans---and later could not explain why he did so.

Of course, there are many reasons for child molestation, if in fact Jackson committed such crimes. But, there is also the possibility to be considered that Jackson's mind has been affected by long-term steroid use and that his judgment and behavior have been seriously impaired. In a legal sense, he may have "diminished capacity" and thus not guilty or guilty of lesser charges.

Scientist, educator, and author, Dr Stephen Juan has long been one of Australia's best-known communicators of science and research. He has appeared regularly on Australian radio, TV, and print press covering all topics having to do with human behavior (sample tape available).

Dr. Juan currently resides in Napa, California, from where he can be available to comment upon this story perspective as well as provide a variety of additional observations about human behavior implications of this and other top news stories of the day.
His book, THE ODD BODY, is scheduled for US publication by Andrews McMeel in 2004.