The Salvation Army has condemned the dawn of sex robots, warning that the technology could increase demand for people trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation.
The Christian church and charity said so-called "sexbots" would "have a detrimental effect on both existing and potential victims of modern slavery", rather than decrease demand for real sex workers.
The intervention came after a report on the burgeoning technology gave warnings about the "dark side" of the rapidly advancing technology that could involve issues of rape and paedophilia.
Kathryn Taylor, of the Salvation Army's anti-trafficking and modern slavery unit said the androids, some of which have sensors responsive to touch and can be programmed with personalities, could encourage sex to be viewed as a "commodity".
She said: "It could fuel demand for sex with people and lead to traffickers exploiting more vulnerable individuals to meet this demand.
"Sexbots won't fulfil the need for human interaction and for rewarding, loving relationships.
"In the same way that pornography normalises certain behaviours, the availability of sexbots could normalise a distorted power dynamic which devalues the other person involved when transferred to human interactions.
Sex dolls are coming"This could encourage increased objectification of women and children and a lack of respect for their fellow human beings."
On Wednesday, artificial intelligence specialist Professor Noel Sharkey, who co-authored the Foundation for Responsible Robotics report on sex robots, said compliant and uncomplaining sexbots could encourage objectification, abuse, rape and paedophilia.
Prof Sharkey, of the University of Sheffield, warned a robot programmed to resist sexual advances was effectively a rape victim and that animate child-like sex robots being manufactured in Japan should be banned from the UK.
Already, four US companies are selling an assortment of the randy androids, aimed at both men and women, with names including Roxxxy Gold and Harry Harddrive. Prices range from just under £4,000 to £11,600 for the "Harmony" supermodel.
Unlike the mannequin-style sex dolls from which they evolved, the sexbots can adopt different positions, simulate sexual movement and even display orgasms.
Ms Taylor said the Salvation Army wanted to "promote the humanity of every individual", including those who might want to use sexbots, but warned that using androids for this purpose could also devalue and dehumanise consumers.