American Academy of Pediatrics: Benefits of Circumcision Outweigh Risks

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American Academy of Pediatrics: Benefits of Circumcision Outweigh Risks

David Bernstein • August 27, 2012 11:42 am

At the risk of provoking the ire of anti-circumcision zealots (you know who are), I thought I’d mention that the American Academy of Pediatrics, reversing a previous neutral stance, is now endorsing male circumcision based on a review of recent scientific evidence.

I undertook a reasonably thorough review of the existing evidence myself, frankly with a bias toward finding that circumcision was overall harmful. I was aware that circumcision, like several other medical procedures (think episiotomy during childbirth) was encouraged for decades by an unthinking medical establishment that didn’t undertake the research needed to support its recommendations. I was perfectly willing to believe that circumcision had few if any health benefits, had significant costs, and should be done only for religious reasons if at all.

I couldn’t find such evidence. Instead, I found that it has small but real health benefits, and that there is no sound evidence of reduced sexual function (I know, tons of nerve endings, blah blah blah, but where is the evidence that on average it makes sex less enjoyable? Studies on men circumcised as adults don’t provide such evidence). I’m not sure that would be enough to lead me to circumcise my own son (mostly because of squeamishness), but I think it’s an easy call if you plan to raise your son Jewish; the last thing you want is for your kid to decide at age 20 or whatever that his religion demands circumcision, and to have to undergo it then, when the risks and pain are much worse. (If there was sound evidence of harm from circumcision, that would be a different story).

The “right to bodily integrity” argument so popular in Europe these days doesn’t sway me. What if your kid is born with six fingers, or with an ugly mole on his face, neither of which are causing harm beyond the aesthetic, and removal of either of which will cause some pain? Does his “right to bodily integrity” mean that you have to wait until he’s sixteen to let him decide whether to remove the appendage? Those strike me as harder cases than circumcision, given that circumcision actually provides some medical benefits. But I think it would be absurd to ban, or even discourage, removal.

If there was sound evidence that circumcision was affirmatively harmful, I think governments (and busybodies) would have every right to discourage it, including by law for minors, regardless of religious sensitivities. Given that the evidence points in the opposite direction, the movement in Germany and elsewhere to ban circumcision is unconscionable.

http://www.volokh.com/2012/08/27/american-academy-of-pediatrics-benefits-of-circumcision-outweigh-risks/

This is a topic with largely religious implications. Please leave in P&R.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I'm anti-circumcision, but I wouldn't try and dictate what parents should or shouldn't do.

See how that works? Being against something but not attempting to control someone else's life over it.

If only it went both ways.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I'm anti-circumcision, but I wouldn't try and dictate what parents should or shouldn't do.

See how that works? Being against something but not attempting to control someone else's life over it.

If only it went both ways.

What if we let the parents decide?!?!?

However, I am sure that the case can be made that, it is considered mutilation. You should expect the anti-abortion crowd to be all over this one...

Edited August 27, 2012 by Gegel

[Penny Lane 8,159]

What if we let the parents decide?!?!?

However, I am sure that the case can be made that, it is considered mutilation. You should expect the anti-abortion crowd to be all over this one...

I personally believe it is. And I think it's unnecessary. But again, don't care what other people do. It's their decision to make for their child.

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I personally believe it is. And I think it's unnecessary. But again, don't care what other people do. It's their decision to make for their child.

When creationists insist on their personal beliefs in spite of the scientific evidence to the contrary, what do you call them?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

When creationists insist on their personal beliefs in spite of the scientific evidence to the contrary, what do you call them?

I call them creationists.

People and their personal beliefs don't bother me, no matter how much I disagree with them.

It only bothers me when they attempt to make laws based on those beliefs.

So there are benefits to circumcision. That's great. I still wouldn't do it to my son. If he wants to do it as an adult, that's his choice to make. I won't make it for him.

[웃 910]

It is very rare to be uncircumcised in America. And very gross.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I call them creationists.

People and their personal beliefs don't bother me, no matter how much I disagree with them.

It only bothers me when they attempt to make laws based on those beliefs.

So there are benefits to circumcision. That's great. I still wouldn't do it to my son. If he wants to do it as an adult, that's his choice to make. I won't make it for him.

Same here. When they are old enough to decide, they can do whatever they want...

[Penny Lane 8,159]

It is very rare to be uncircumcised in America. And very gross.

What's gross about it?

[JohnR! 5,495]

It is very rare to be uncircumcised in America. And very gross.

I am not sure that your opinion on its being gross is shared universally. I know a lot of women who prefer uncircumcised men and who consider it a turn on. Maybe because most men are cut, they find it exciting to see something different.

It is almost as though when it comes to taste and opinion each individual has a unique point of view, isn't it?

Edited August 27, 2012 by Gegel

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Lots of women have told me uncut penises are disgusting.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I really don't see a difference. Not when it matters, anyway.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I'm anti-circumcision, but I wouldn't try and dictate what parents should or shouldn't do.

You're not really anti-circumcision if you don't do everything you can to stop it. At best, you're an ACINO.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

You're not really anti-circumcision if you don't do everything you can to stop it. At best, you're an ACINO.

I knew I was doing it wrong.

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I knew I was doing it wrong.

First thing you gotta do is make some signs. And spell a word or two wrong on them just to show you're not some kinda elitist.