Hershel Goldman
Dr. Hershel Goldman, B.Sc., MBBS, FRACGP, is a circumcised doctor, general practitioner, and Jewish mohel who practises medicine in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The Daily Mail reports that the Medical Board of Australia has banned him from performing circumcision after he amputated the penises of two boys while performing ritual circumcisions in homes.[1]
Many Jews believe that the ritual of Brit Milah is required by the so-called Abrahamic covenant, which is the most sacred ritual of Judaism, although it is increasingly being questioned.[2] Reports from Israel indicate that many Jewish parents are not having their sons circumcised.
Non-therapeutic "cosmetic" circumcision has long been banned at public hospitals in Australia.[3]
Dr Mark Duncan-Smith, the president of the AMA (WA), issued a warning to parents on 10 December 2021 regarding non-therapeutic child circumcision. Dr. Duncan-Smith said parents should only "follow through with the procedure if there is a valid medical reason." According to Dr Duncan-Smith only about ten percent of boys in Western Australia are now being circumcised.[4]
Potential civil and criminal liability
J. Neville Turner, Professor of Law at Melbourne's Monash University and president of Oz Child, has argued that "circumcised boys may sue."[5] Professor Turner cited Marion's case, the 1992 High Court of Australia case regarding parental consent.[6]
Boyle et al. (2000) suggested that circumcision of incompetent minors may constitute criminal assault. They also suggested that civil liability may apply and cited cases in which damages were obtained for circumcision.[7]
It is not clear what civil and/or criminal penalties Dr. Goldman may face.
See also
References
- ↑
Lackey, Brett (24 May 2024)."Top circumcision doctor is banned from performing the operations after amputating two little boys' penises, tribunal hears", Daily Mail. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ↑ http://www.amazon.com/Questioning-Circumcision-Perspective-Ronald-Goldman/dp/0964489562/
- ↑
Anonymous. Protection offered by circumcision does not warrant lifting ban, say doctors. The Guardian. 8 February 2017; Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ↑ Wondracz, Aidan (9 December 2021)."Parents are warned against circumcising their children after a toddler, 2, died 'of a reaction to anaesthetic' and his baby brother almost bled out", Daily Mail. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ↑ Turner N. Circumcised boys may sue. The Health Law Update (Australia). 23 February 1996; 1(4): 1-2. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ↑ Department of Health & Community Services v JWB & SMB (“Marion’s Case”) (1992) 175 CLR 218; [1992] HCA 15
- ↑ Gregory J Boyle, J Steven Svoboda, Christopher P Price, J Neville Turner. Circumcision of Healthy Boys: Criminal Assault? 7 J Law Med 301 (2000).
