July 14, 2012
Live Chat: The legal and ethical debate over male circumcision
 Tools used in circumcision. Is circumcision a violation of the rights of an individual (a baby) who cannot consent, or is it a religious freedom that must be protected? Have your say in our live chat. [The central instrument is a Mogen Clamp, which has caused three botches so bad the lawsuits drove the Mogen Company out of business in 2010] |
Photograph by: Aaron Lynett/National Post
A recent ban by a court in Cologne, Germany on the circumcision of boys for religious reasons has touched off a new debate on the subject. Opponents of the ban say it sets a dangerous precedent for what they feel are attacks on religious freedom. Some who support the ban say male circumcision is as dangerous and barbaric as female circumcision. Complicating matters is the fact that there are doctors on both sides of the issue who say their side is right. What do you think? Is the circumcision of baby boys a violation of personal rights or the upholding of religious freedom? What are the legal ramifications of the recent German ban? To find out more and have your say, join our live chat with Ronald Goldman, executive director of the Circumcision Resource Center in Boston, Dr. Margaret Somerville, founding director of the McGill Centre for Medicine, Ethics and Law in Montreal, and Dr. Tanvir Hussain, a cardiologist and adjunct professor of bioethics at the Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, California. Be a part of the discussion, Friday at 2 p.m. ET.
"A recent ban by a court in Cologne, Germany on the circumcision of boys for religious reasons has touched off a new debate on the subject."
ReplyDeleteBetween whom? Where is this "debate" happening?
"Opponents of the ban say it sets a dangerous precedent for what they feel are attacks on religious freedom."
That's what they say about any attempt at regulating non-medical genital mutilation.
"Some who support the ban say male circumcision is as dangerous and barbaric as female circumcision."
What do others say?
"Complicating matters is the fact that there are doctors on both sides of the issue who say their side is right."
There is no need to "complicate" matters. While "doctors on both sides" argue back and forth, there is consensus amongst the most respected authorities in the West, but don't let a mainstream news outlet like canada.com tell you about it.
The trend of opinion on routine male circumcision is overwhelmingly negative in industrialized nations. No respected medical board in the world recommends circumcision for infants, not even in the name of HIV prevention. They must all point to the risks, and they must all state that there is no convincing evidence that the benefits outweigh these risks. To do otherwise would be to take an unfounded position against the best medical authorities of the West.
Is no one even going to talk about the whole reason the Cologne court issued their ruling? You know, the boy that nearly died from hemorrhage complications?
"What do you think? Is the circumcision of baby boys a violation of personal rights or the upholding of religious freedom?"
Interestingly enough, this same question is not up for "debate" when it comes to female genital mutilation...
"What are the legal ramifications of the recent German ban?"
Again, no need to complicate matters. If it is medically necessary, it is performed. If it is not, then the child waits until he is of age.
Canada.com is already misrepresenting reality; there is no "debate" amongst the medical community; they all agree that circumcision has risks and that the "benefits" do not outweigh them. It is disingenuous to be portraying the "debate" as happening between special interest activists and medical "experts." Thanks for helping spread lies and misinformation, canada.com.
The chat itself is now online. I think intactness won.
ReplyDelete(I had thought it was voice, but it was text.)
it is barbaric to stop someones genitals working properly and that is what this dose it was done on me and i have never knew until i started feeling normal and did some research into that v shaped scar on my penis shaft. Now i am very annoyed because it isn't working right down there and physically i have been affected and now i know why god i wish i was normal!!!
ReplyDeleteIf there is even the slightest chance it could go wrong it should never be done!!
ReplyDeleteI would like to know if there is anyone who could fix me? This would improve every aspect of my life.
ReplyDelete