Swedish doctors: circumcision is “assault”
Like most American men my age, I was circumcised while I was an infant. At Reddit.com I happened upon an article on circumcision, and I noticed that the controversy is still alive and well. According to UPI, most Swedish doctors strongly disapprove of male circumcision:
Two out of three doctors surveyed in Sweden said they refuse to circumcise boys because they consider it assault without the child’s consent, sources said.
Most American boys still receive non-therapeutic circumcisions (not performed for ritualistic or religious purposes). Of physicians performing circumcision, 45% use anesthesia. What is the view of the American Medical Association?
The AMA supports the general principles of the 1999 Circumcision Policy Statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which reads as follows: Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision. In circumstances in which there are potential benefits and risks, yet the procedure is not essential to the child’s current well-being, parents should determine what is in the best interest of the child. To make an informed choice, parents of all male infants should be given accurate and unbiased information and be provided the opportunity to discuss this decision. If a decision for circumcision is made, procedural analgesia should be provided.
I always thought that if circumcision had any real value then advanced countries like Sweden or Germany or Japan would do it. They never did. In fact there are only TWO (2) countries in the world currently that circumcise the majority of their male infants. One for a religious reason the other out of ignorance or herd mentality. Other advanced countries are doing just fine with their foreskins on. American men had their foreskins amputated and were kept from real brest milk and many had their tonsils out when they were older. All medical fads. Time to end this silly blood ritual.
HIS BODY = HIS CHOICE
It’s illegal to cut off a girl’s prepuce, or to make any incision on a girl’s genitals, even if no tissue is removed. Why don’t boys get the same protection? People should be able to decide for themselves whether they want part of their genitals cut off.
It is an assault. I’m glad to see more doctors honoring their Hippocratic oath. Many doctors are against circumcision and no longer perform it.
doctorsopposingcircumcision.org
in their own words
“Facing Circumcision: 8 Physicians Tell Their Stories”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CC9Y-Us210&feature=PlayList&p=46C71768D9E1FD27&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=32
Dr. Mark Reiss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWq5PQsNhRw
Dr. Dean Edell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHVvB1oHAgg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlsUg0sdAtE&feature=related
Dr. Morris Sorrells
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzVwR0-ybYE&feature=PlayList&p=BC354EC34E141BD3&index=0&playnext=1
Caroline: Thank you for the many thoughtful resources on circumcision.