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To: ADC Fetal and Neonatal Edition Letters and ADC Education and Practice Letters

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Leading articles: Robert Wheeler Consent for non-therapeutic male circumcision Arch Dis Child 2008; 0: adc.2007.128801v1 [Abstract]

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Non therapeutic treatment on the NHS?

David J Hamer   (15 May 2008)

Non therapeutic treatment on the NHS? 15 May 2008
David J Hamer, Consultant Child Psychiatrist Send letter to journal: Re: Non therapeutic treatment on the NHS? david.hamer{at}sch.nhs.uk David J Hamer	Robert Wheeler discusses the complexities of consent for non- therapeutic male circumcision, especially when both parents may not be in agreement and specifically in the religious context. The discussion could also include the wider question of whether the treatment of children is an issue for the family alone or whether society as a whole has a right or a duty to interfere in family life, for the protection of children. For female circumcision there seems no question that the practice should be outlawed, whatever religious, cultural or other beliefs may be invoked to support it. Consent is not an issue. Parliament is still considering to what extent physical punishment of children in the UK is wrong. For male children, some would question whether consent other than that of the patient is ever appropriate for this non therapeutic amputation, whatever the parents' religious, cultural or hygienic beliefs. I think I can understand why the author might be reluctant to carry out this surgery privately. My question, though, is what justification can there be for undertaking this non-therapeutic intervention on the NHS?