title: Circumcision: what should be done?
abstract: I explain why I think that considerations regarding the opposing rights involved in the practice of circumcision-rights of the individual to bodily integrity and rights of the community to practice its religion-would not help us decide on the desirable policy towards this controversial practice. I then suggest a few measures that are not in conflict with either religious or community rights but that can both reduce the harm that circumcision as currently practiced involves and bring about a change in attitude towards the practice, thus further reducing its frequency. These measures are the compulsory administration of anaesthetics; the banning of the metzitzah b'peh; and having an upper age limit of a few months on non-therapeutic circumcision of minors. I conclude with general considerations on why the steps taken towards the reform of circumcision should be moderate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Philosophy, Central European University, 9 Nádor Street, Budapest 1051, Hungary. benyamih@ceu.hu
authors.forename: Hanoch
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ben-Yami
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000592:standards*; D000777:Anesthetics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000592:standards; D001290:Attitude; D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D002944:Circumcision, Male / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005610:Freedom; D040261:Harm Reduction; D018594:Human Body; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D028723:Personhood; D011639:Public Opinion; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D013396:Suction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics
keywords: Circumcision; Moral and Religious Aspects; Rights