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To Snip or Not to Snip - a Question of Choice.

Male circumcision is a hot topic these days. A subject that was talked about quietly and discreetly for years has suddenly become akin to the anti abortion debate or the anti vaccination movement. We took a vote in our group and it is hardly a subject that we find riveting, in fact most men we spoke to about the subject told us that they never thought about it. So what is all the fuss about? Why are some interest groups screaming about male genital mutilation and putting up pictures of screaming babies on their website? For the same reason interest groups always put pictures like that on their websites; for emotional and psychological impact. We would argue that male circumcision, while maybe not the choice for everyone, should be considered a choice by parents like vaccinations, on religious and health grounds. It is an important choice for parents, and the wealth of information available is being drowned out by sensationalism. Are Female and male mutilation the same thing? The World Health Organization estimates over 140 million women are victims of FMG (WHO) it is a staggering statistic and while the proponents of infant male circumcision say that they should be treated the same, but in truth, they are not at all similar. While it is true that infant male circumcision is done without the minors consent, the procedure in North America we are concerned with can hardly be compared to the mutilations done in the countries that routinely practice it. Most FGM is preformed when the girls are minors, and in most cases, all or most of the labia or clitoris is removed. The procedure is done not for the heath of the child but is done to keep the woman a virgin for her entire lifetime, a medical impossibility and meant to completely devoid women from sensual feelings and sexual equality. When a woman is married, her vagina is sometimes sewn up and undone only for sex or childbirth. Serious complications include death from blood loss, infection and lifelong future health problems such as urinary tract disorders, infertility and high

Smith, Page 2 of 8 incidences childbirth complications and newborn mortality (WHO). FGM has no health benefits, and it harms girls and women in many ways (and) interferes with the natural functions of girls' and women's bodies (WHO). Why do some religions promote circumcision? The Jewish and Islamic faiths are the two main religions that practice infant male circumcision. In the Jewish faith, the practice is required, however in the Islamic faith it is practiced according to cultural and local tradition. For Jews, The practice is known as brit milah (Covenant of Circumcision) and it is performed on the eighth day after the birth of a baby boy, as instructed in the book of Leviticus (BBC). For practitioners of Islam; (they) are still the largest single religious group to circumcise boys. In Islam circumcision is also known as tahara, meaning purificationThe main reason given for the ritual is cleanliness. It is essential that every Muslim washes before praying. It is important that no urine is left on the body. Muslims believe the removal of the foreksin makes it easier to keep the penis clean because urine can't get trapped there (BBC). The two main reasons for religious male circumcision is cleanliness and to be closer to God. Without the practice both of these religions would not be able to be. So if such an important tenant of a religion such as circumcision is banned is that tantamount to banning the religion itself? Some Jewish religious groups are pointing to anti-Semitism as the possible motive behind the anti circumcision movement. They say this because to attack the religions most sacred rite is to attack the very existence of Judaism itself. While this may or may not be true, it does raise some important ethical questions. Are there any health benefits? Recently, the Canadian Pediatric Society reversed its stand on infant male circumcision, stating that there are benefits and they outweigh the risks of the procedure, which are very small. (Stein)They brought their views in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics who also concluded after a seven year study (Stein) that the outcomes of infant circumcision are positive "The health benefits of male circumcision include a drop in the risk of urinary tract infection in the first year

Smith, Page 3 of 8 of life by up to 90 percent,"(Stein) more importantly, they also argue that it will protect the boys from future risk of sexually transmitted diseases and a significant decreased risk of penile cancer. The studies done in Africa by the World Health Organization, point to significant reductions, in some cases as much as 60 percent which is obviously too large of a number to ignore(WHO). There is also evidence of increased sexual pleasure and less risk of future sexual problems contrary to the anecdotal evidence that the anti circumcision movement suggests (Houle). In contrast to FGM which has zero health benefits, male circumcision has some heath benefits and the more studies done to explore this, the more parents will have a broader scope with which to make the decision. We maintain that choice is the main point here. If circumcision is banned, parents will no longer have the option of making the choice to circumcise or not to circumcise. Whether or not you agree, there are valid points on each side and as with any medical procedure, both options must be explored. If circumcision is banned, religious freedoms will be violated and traditions will be trampled upon. Respect must be paid to people of faith who perform the ritual as a part of their beliefs. Circumcision is not akin Female Genital Mutilation; it is a quick, 15 minute procedure that I have witnessed. To liken it to FGM is an insult to the 140 million women who are victims of an operation that cripples a womans sexuality and endangers her health for her entire lifetime. I cringe at the thought of questionably supported lobby groups being able to dictate my choice of religion or my choice to follow family tradition simply because they dont see the world the way I see it.

Smith, Page 4 of 8 Works Cited

Male circumcision for HIV prevention. World Health Organization, 2013. WHO. n.d. Web. 15 Oct 2013. http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/malecircumcision/en/index.html

Male Circumcision. BBC. BBC Ethics Guide. n.d. Web. 20 Oct 2013. http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/malecircumcision/religions_1.shtml

Islam and Male Circumcision. BBC. BBC Religions. 13 Aug 2013. Web. 20 Oct 2013. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/islamethics/malecircumcision.shtml

Female Genital Mutilation. World Health Organization. WHO. Feb 2013. Web. 20 Oct 2013. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/index.html

``Pediatricians Decide Boys Are Better Off Circumcised Than Not`Stein, Rob. NPR. 27 Aug 2012. Web. 15 Oct 2013. http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/08/27/159955340/pediatricians-decide-boys-are-better-offcircumcised-than-not

Circumcision for All: The Pro Side. Houle, Anne Marie. Canadian Urology Association Journal. National Center for Biotechnology Information. 1 Nov 2007. Web. 15 Oct 2013. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2422990/

Smith, Page 5 of 8 Pro Circumcision 1. Dont be scared to circumcise your baby boy Author: DR. Bernadine Headly, M.D. Publisher: US News Reputation: Medical Doctor (Cardiologist), Republican senator candidate, Director of NIH. Supporting Data: Yes, but she mainly uses her medical experience, no citing. Credible: Credible but with all of her political leanings, it is suspect that she is without bias. http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2007/12/06/dont-be-scared-to-circumciseyour-baby-boy 2. Circumcision for all: the pro side Author: Dr. Anne Marie Houle, MD. Publisher: Canadian Urological Association Journal Reputation: Excellent. Supporting Data: Yes, most from the Canadian Urological Association all cited. Credible: Yes. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2422990/ 3. Pediatricians Decide Boys are Better Off Circumcised Than Not Author: Rob Stein Publisher: NPR Reputation: Excellent, National Public Radio Supporting Data: Yes, Citing, Studies and Quotes, Interviews Credible: Yes http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/08/27/159955340/pediatricians-decide-boys-arebetter-off-circumcised-than-not 4. How Circumcision Broke the Internet Author: Mark Joseph Stern Publisher: Slate Online Magazine/Washington Post Reputation: Well known Journalist Supporting Data: Yes, Citing Credible: Yes http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/09/intactivists_onl ine_a_fringe_group_turned_the_internet_against_circumcision.html

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5. Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention Author: WHO Publisher: United Nations Reputation: Excellent Supporting Data: 3 separate trials funded by the UN Credible: Yes http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/malecircumcision/en/index.html 6. Religions and Circumcision Author: BBC Ethics Publisher: BBC Reputation: Excellent, World Newspaper Supporting Data: Yes, The Bible and Islamic Texts, Interviews with Practitioners Credible: Yes http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/malecircumcision/religions_1.shtml

Circumcision Con 1. The Circumcision Decision: An Overview Author: Mary G. Ray Publisher: Website (Mothers Against Circumcision) Reputation: Anti Circumcision Activist Supporting Data: Credible: http://www.mothersagainstcirc.org/ 2. IntactAmerica.org Author: Georgeanne Chapin Publisher: Website (Intact America Website) Reputation: Anti Circumcision Activist Supporting Data: A few works cited, a lot of Name dropping but no solid proof the organization is supported by medical doctors Credible: Yes, but very biased http://www.intactamerica.org/

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3. Circumcisions Suffer from Bad Training: Study; Complications Author: Tom Blackwell Publisher: National Post Reputation: National right leaning newspaper Supporting Data: Yes, lots of citing, different sources Credible: Yes, from national newspaper http://search.proquest.com.proxy.library.niagarac.on.ca:8080/docview/1437078265/abstract/1 4170BB328B16D66CDD/1?accountid=39476## 4. The Perils of Circumcision Author: J Steven Svoboda Publisher: The National Post Reputation: Bias is obvious as author is a childrens lawyer Supporting Data: Yes, lots of sources and citing Credible: Yes http://search.proquest.com.proxy.library.niagarac.on.ca:8080/docview/1439574751/14170CBE 6DF73DD6EDC/1?accountid=39476#

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