Religious and Cultural Male Circumcision.

The subject of Circumcision in young Male infants is both a sensitive and controversial issue.

There is a growing voice of Opposition to the practise, within both the Jewish and Islamic Cultures.

Both the British Medical Association and the General Medical Council advise that Circumcision involves intentional violence which is lawful, much the same as tattooing, ear piercing and violent sports and that it is up to Society to decide the rights and wrongs (Journal of Medical Ethics 2004)

Whilst Male Circumcision is widespread in certain cultures what is not exactly clear is whether it is in fact performed for the purposes of Religion or as means of identity and belonging within certain groups.

As a society it is reasonable to suggest that we protect our young from harm or danger and yet in certain aspects of society the need to establish a sense of belonging is great enough to subject the Male infant to a painful procedure of which neither the religious or  the health benefits are  clear.

Should the NHS play a bigger role in assisting in developing more subsidised Circumcision Clinics throughout the UK and therefore help to safeguard vulnerable infants who have no means of independent or empowered consent?

Of the Clinics visited it was clear that this whilst the procedure be controversial the need to safeguard was evident in processes, procedures and environment.

Opposition to the procedure did not equate to lack of care and certainly the underlying belief was. It is better to perform the Circumcision in an environment suitable for the task and not the ‘Kitchen table’.