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Message to
America's Physicians
- We speak to many parents who are dissatisfied and
even angry with physicians who do not provide them with complete, accurate
information about circumcision. These parents feel deeply regretful that
they chose circumcision without being fully informed. Our strong recommendation
is that physicians educate themselves about the anatomy, physiology, development,
and proper care of the prepuce, as well as nonsurgical treatment alternatives
to circumcision. Learn about the psychological, sexual, and legal aspects
of circumcision as well. The British Journal of Urology, Circumcision Supplement, Jan. 1999, has excellent
articles on these topics.
- Remember that according
to the AAP Committee on Bioethics, "pediatric health care
providers … have legal and ethical duties to their child patients
to render competent medical care based on what the patient needs,
not what someone else expresses. . . . [T]he pediatrician’s
responsibilities to his or her patient exist independent of
parental desires or proxy consent."
- Consider the ethics of
cutting off normal, healthy, functioning tissue for no medical
reason. Join the growing number of medical professionals who
refuse to participate in circumcisions for ethical reasons.
Remember this major tenet of medical practice: First, do no harm.
No national medical organization in the world recommends
circumcision. Look at the
policy statements
on circumcision
from medical societies
in Canada, Australia, and England.
- Discontinue soliciting
parents for circumcision.
- Work with organizations
like the Circumcision Resource Center (CRC) and Doctors Opposing
Circumcision (DOC) to develop appropriate responses to parents who
have unreasonable fears about not circumcising a child.
- Encourage medical
schools and continuing education programs to teach the anatomy,
physiology, development, and proper care of the prepuce, as well
as nonsurgical treatment alternatives to circumcision.
- Include circumcision
status as part of data to be collected for other studies, and
explore the effects of circumcision on physiological,
neurological, and neurochemical differences, and sexual and social
functioning. Contact CRC for more details.
- Support organizations of
children’s advocates like CRC and DOC that are educating the
public and professionals about the harm of circumcision and the
value of keeping male genitals intact.
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