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Page: Ethical Issues
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Circumcising infants is controversial. Those advocating circumcision assert that circumcision is a significant public health measure, preventing infections, and slowing down the spread of AIDS. Those opposing circumcision, however, question the legality of infant circumcision by asserting that infant circumcision is a human rights violation or a sexual assault.
Consent
Views differ on whether limits should be placed on caregivers having a child circumcised. One argument is that male circumcision is ethically identical to female genital cutting. It questions why the genital cutting of males is allowed while the genital cutting of females is prohibited. Another argument is that as it's his body, any decision to circumcise should be only be made by the owner of the foreskin when he reaches adulthood.
Others argue that there is no convincing evidence of sexual or emotional harm, and that there are greater monetary and psychological costs in circumcising later rather than in infancy. Many are concerned that restrictions on circumcision would cut across the religious or cultural rites and practices of Jews, Muslims, and others or limit the traditional right of parents to have their child circumcised.
A number of medical associations accept that the parents should determine what is in the best interest of the infant or child, though the RACP and the BMA observe that controversy exists on this issue. and the BMA insists that a circumcision must not go ahead without the consent of both parents and the competent child.
Emotional consequences
Goldman discussed the extent to which circumcision may cause emotional harm to males. Some organizations have been formed as support groups for men who are upset with being circumcised.
Legality
Main article: Circumcision and law
Traditionally, Circumcision has been presumed to be legal when performed by a trained operator.
In 2001, Sweden passed a law restricting the performance of neo-natal circumcisions to persons certified by the National Board of Health. This law requires that a medical doctor or an anesthesia nurse accompany the circumcisor, and that anaesthetic is applied prior to the procedure. Most Jewish mohels have been so certified. Jews and Muslims in Sweden objected to the law, and the World Jewish Congress stated that it was “the first legal restriction on Jewish religious practice in Europe since the Nazi era."
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