A partial transcript from a conference on male circumcision. The portion of the transcript reproduced is Gillian Longley’s presentation where she discusses medical ethics, particularly how it relates to elective surgery on non-consenting infants (as if infants could consent).  She examines two ethics questions:

1. Is it ethically acceptable to alter the natural genitals of a child when no compelling therapeutic reason exists?
2. Who is the appropriate person to give permission for elective non‑therapeutic cutting of anyone’s genitals?

uncutting:

foodinherbelly submitted:

I never understood how parents assume that their kid would WANT a part of their penis cut off. These children are infants. Small helpless babies who cannot make decisions (well, unless you take into consideration that they are screaming for help in an operating table) are having a basic human right taken away. 

I’ve always said that I would never make such a huge choice like circumcision for my infant son (if I should ever have one). It is not my decision to make nor is it my right. Circumcision is unneeded and their penis is already perfect and functional. If my son came to me as a teenager with an informed decision and said he wanted a circumcision, then I would be glad to listen to his view and let him make the choice about his own body. 

Before that? Goodness no. It’s not my body, not my choice. Unless my child (female or male) needs a lifesaving surgery or proceder, I’m not messing with perfection. 

I honestly don’t understand the debate that FGM is worse than MGM. I see them as the same, barbaric. You are taking away important sexual tissue from each gender in ways that are completely unnecessary. One is not more worse than the other, they are both horrific. Please, don’t try to justify MGM because they are male and you are letting your societal gender norms tell you that it is alright. 

It’s not. 

We are all human who deserve equal rights regardless of age.

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Thank you, this post was a well-needed breath of logic.

legalizeforeskin:

About 4000 more signature need to reach 5000 needed to get an official response for a White House staffer.

The petition has almost 2000 signatures now. Three more weeks to reach 5000.

The International Journal of Men’s Health has published the first study of its kind to look at the link between circumcision and the personality trait disorder alexithymia. The study, by Dan Bollinger and Robert S. Van Howe, M.D., M.S., FAAP, found that circumcised men are 60% more likely to suffer from alexithymia, the inability to process emotions. People suffering from alexithymia have difficulty identifying and expressing their feelings. This translates into not being able to imagine what others are feeling, leading to an inability to respond to others’ needs. If acquired at an early age, this might limit access to language and interfere with the socialization process that begins early in life. Moderate to high alexithymia can interfere with personal relationships and hinder therapy. Impulsive behavior is a key symptom of alexithymia, and impulsivity is a precursor to violence.