~Royal
Dutch Medical Society~
·
There is no convincing evidence that circumcision is useful or
necessary in terms of prevention or hygiene.
Partly in the light of the complications which can arise during or after circumcision, circumcision is not justifiable except on medical/therapeutic grounds. Insofar as there are medical benefits, such as a possibly reduced risk of HIV infection, it is reasonable to put off circumcision until the age at which such a risk is relevant and the boy himself can decide about the intervention, or can opt for any available alternatives.
Partly in the light of the complications which can arise during or after circumcision, circumcision is not justifiable except on medical/therapeutic grounds. Insofar as there are medical benefits, such as a possibly reduced risk of HIV infection, it is reasonable to put off circumcision until the age at which such a risk is relevant and the boy himself can decide about the intervention, or can opt for any available alternatives.
·
Contrary to what is often thought, circumcision entails the risk of
medical and psychological complications. The most common complications are
bleeding, infections, meatus stenosis (narrowing of the urethra) and panic
attacks.
Partial or complete penis amputations as a result of complications following circumcisions have also been reported, as have psychological problems as a result of the circumcision.
Partial or complete penis amputations as a result of complications following circumcisions have also been reported, as have psychological problems as a result of the circumcision.
·
Non-therapeutic circumcision of male minors is contrary to the rule
that minors may only be exposed to medical treatments if illness or
abnormalities are present, or if it can be convincingly demonstrated that the
medical intervention is in the interest of the child, as in the case of
vaccinations.
·
Non-therapeutic circumcision of male minors conflicts with the
child's right to autonomy and physical integrity.
·
The KNMG calls on (referring) doctors to explicitly inform
parents/carers who are considering non-therapeutic circumcision for male minors
of the risk of complications and the lack of convincing medical benefits.
The fact that this is a medically non-essential intervention with a real risk of complications makes the quality of this advice particularly important. The doctor must then record the informed consent in the medical file.
The fact that this is a medically non-essential intervention with a real risk of complications makes the quality of this advice particularly important. The doctor must then record the informed consent in the medical file.
·
The KNMG respects the deep religious, symbolic and cultural
feelings that surround the practice of non-therapeutic circumcision. The KNMG
calls for a dialogue between doctors' organisations, experts and the religious
groups concerned in order to put the issue of non-therapeutic circumcision of
male minors on the agenda and ultimately restrict it as much as possible.
·
There are good reasons for a legal prohibition of non-therapeutic
circumcision of male minors, as exists for female genital mutilation.
However, the KNMG fears that a legal prohibition would result in the intervention being performed by non-medically qualified individuals in circumstances in which the quality of the intervention could not be sufficiently guaranteed. This could lead to more serious complications than is currently the case.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~However, the KNMG fears that a legal prohibition would result in the intervention being performed by non-medically qualified individuals in circumstances in which the quality of the intervention could not be sufficiently guaranteed. This could lead to more serious complications than is currently the case.
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