Circumcision study flaws: Difference between revisions

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Bossio et al. made three recommendations:
Bossio et al. made three recommendations:


# That more rigours and consistent methodology be used.
# That more rigorous and consistent methodology be used.
# Empirically rigorous studies of the physiological effects of neonatal circumcision are needed.
# Empirically rigorous studies of the physiological effects of neonatal [[circumcision]] are needed.
# Psychosocial factors, including [[Sexual effects of circumcision| sexual correlates of circumcision]], should be studied.<ref name="bossio2014" />
# Psychosocial factors, including [[Sexual effects of circumcision| sexual correlates of circumcision]], should be studied.<ref name="bossio2014" />


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== Statements from medical trade associations ==
== Statements from medical trade associations ==
Medical trade associations exist to protect and advance the financial and business interests of their fellows (members). A few medical trade associations, whose members perform non-therapeutic circumcision, have issued statements regarding non-therapeutic circumcision of children. Circumcision policy statements frequently exclude discussions of sexual, psychological, [[human rights]], ethical, and legal issues, and the anatomy and functions of the foreskin.<ref name="goldman2004">{{REFjournal
[[Medical trade association| Medical trade associations]] exist to protect and advance the professional, financial, business, and legal interests of their fellows (members). A few medical trade associations, whose members perform non-therapeutic circumcision, have issued statements regarding non-therapeutic circumcision of children. Circumcision policy statements frequently exclude discussions of [[Sexual effects of circumcision| sexual]], [[Psychological issues of male circumcision| psychological]], [[human rights]], ethical, and [[Circumcision legal commentary| legal]] issues, and the [[Foreskin| anatomy and functions of the foreskin]].<ref name="goldman2004">{{REFjournal
  |last=Goldman
  |last=Goldman
  |first=Ronald
  |first=Ronald
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  }}</ref>
  }}</ref>


This statement has very serious omissions that bias it in favor of circumcision. The description of the [[foreskin]] omits important information, including its innervation, its protective functions, its immunological functions, and its sexual functions. The statement claims "potential" benefits, which exist only in someone's imagination.  
This statement has very serious omissions that [[bias]] it in favor of circumcision. The description of the [[foreskin]] omits important information, including its innervation, its protective functions, its immunological functions, and its sexual functions. The statement claims "potential" benefits, which exist only in someone's imagination.  


The CPS statement revives the claims made by circumcision promoter [[Thomas E. Wiswell]]'s discredited studies from the 1980s in an apparent attempt to restart the [[Urinary_tract_infection#The_UTI_scare| UTI scare]]. It fails to mention that UTIS are easily treated with antibiotics.<ref name="McCracken 1989">{{REFjournal
The CPS statement revives the claims made by circumcision promoter [[Thomas E. Wiswell]]'s discredited studies from the 1980s in an apparent attempt to restart the [[Urinary_tract_infection#The_UTI_scare| UTI scare]]. It fails to mention that UTIS are easily treated with antibiotics.<ref name="McCracken 1989">{{REFjournal
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The conclusion states that circumcision may be beneficial "for some boys", but fails to state which boys the CPS thinks would benefit by circumcision.  
The conclusion states that circumcision may be beneficial "for some boys", but fails to state which boys the CPS thinks would benefit by circumcision.  


The statement seems amateurish. It seems to have been drafted by a committee of people who had no special knowledge or understanding of the human foreskin, circumcision, or the literature. It seems divorced from the reality in [[Canada]] that the health insurance plans do not pay for non-therapeutic circumcision and hospitals do not allow the performance of the non-therapeutic [[amputation]].
The statement seems amateurish. It seems to have been drafted by a committee of people who had no special knowledge or understanding of the human foreskin, circumcision, or the literature. It seems divorced from the reality in [[Canada]] that the health insurance plans do not pay for non-therapeutic circumcision and most hospitals do not allow the performance of the non-therapeutic [[amputation]].


It appears that the CPS was seeking to do more circumcisions so its members can make more money.  
It appears that the CPS was seeking to promote more circumcisions so its members can make more money.  


* {{REFjournal
* {{REFjournal
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=== USA ===
=== USA ===
{{AAP Policy expired}}
[[File:Flag_of_USA.svg|thumb|150px|Flag of the United States of America (USA)]]
[[File:Flag_of_USA.svg|thumb|150px|Flag of the United States of America (USA)]]
The United States are unique because the American medical industry has been promoting the practice of non-therapeutic circumcision since the late 19th Century.<ref>{{GollaherDL 1994}}</ref> As a result of the centuries-old promotion almost all American males were circumcised soon after birth from the 1930s through the 1980s.<ref name="laumann1996">{{REFjournal
The [[United States]] are unique because the American medical industry has been promoting the practice of non-therapeutic [[circumcision]] since the late 19th Century.<ref>{{GollaherDL 1994}}</ref> As a result of the centuries-old promotion almost all American males were [[circumcised]] soon after birth from the 1930s through the 1980s.<ref name="laumann1996">{{REFjournal
  |last=Laumann
  |last=Laumann
  |first=Edward O.
  |first=Edward O.
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}}</ref> As a result, many Americans have never seen a human [[foreskin]] and most are profoundly ignorant of its anatomy, functions, and care.
}}</ref> As a result, many Americans have never seen a human [[foreskin]] and most are profoundly ignorant of its anatomy, functions, and care.


With such an environment the medical industry has been able to develop its circumcision business into a colossus that exceeds an estimated $3 billion per year.<ref name="bollinger2012">{{REFweb
With such an environment the medical industry has been able to develop its [[circumcision]] business into a colossus that exceeds an estimated $3 billion per year.<ref name="bollinger2012">{{REFweb
  |url=https://www.academia.edu/6442587/High_Cost_of_Circumcision_3.6_Billion_Annually
  |url=https://www.academia.edu/6442587/High_Cost_of_Circumcision_3.6_Billion_Annually
  |title=High Cost of Circumcision: $3.6 Billion Annually
  |title=High Cost of Circumcision: $3.6 Billion Annually
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  |first=George
  |first=George
  |author-link=George Hill
  |author-link=George Hill
  |publisher=Doctors Opposing Circumcision
  |publisher=[[Doctors Opposing Circumcision (D.O.C.)]]
  |format=PDF
  |format=PDF
  |date=2013-04
  |date=2013-04
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The AAP has a long-standing policy that its published policies and statements expire after five years unless re-affirmed. The AAP has ''not'' re-affirmed the statements below so they expired on 31 August 2017. The AAP now has ''no'' official position on non-therapeutic circumcision of boys.
The AAP has a long-standing policy that its published policies and statements expire after five years unless re-affirmed. The AAP has ''not'' re-affirmed the statements below so they expired on 31 August 2017. The AAP now has ''no'' official position on non-therapeutic [[circumcision]] of boys.


* {{REFjournal
* {{REFjournal
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* [[Financial incentive]]
* [[Financial incentive]]
* [[Position statements on infant circumcision]]
* [[Position statements on infant circumcision]]
 
* [[Trauma]]
{{REF}}
{{REF}}