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CIRCUMCISION OR MALE AND FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION

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SEE ALSO:

* Birth Trauma

SUBSECTIONS ON THIS PAGE:

* Circumcision Hampers Breastfeeding
* General
* Parental Rights of Circumcision
* Sexism of Male Circumcision
* Infections from Circumcision
* Deaths from Circumcision
* Recent Papers on Circumcision
* Circumcision Complications
* Birth Professionals and Circumcision
* Responding to an Invitation to Attend a Ritual Circumcision/Bris or Brit
* An OB Comments on the Pain of Circumcision
* Circumcision and Religious Issues
* Circumcision and Sexual Satisfaction
* Care of the Intact Penis
* Female Circumcision / Female Genital Mutilation

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CIRCUMCISION HAMPERS BREASTFEEDING

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CIRCUMCISION LEADS TO BREASTFEEDING COMPLICATIONS

Need another reason to skip routine circumcision? For over twenty years, studies
conducted by medical doctors and researchers have documented a connection
between circumcision and breastfeeding complications. According to findings, the
newly circumcised infant expresses noticeably decreased responses to a mother's
attempts at engaging their attention. This "subdued" behavior has been linked by
several researchers in separate studies to a subsequent struggle in the
achievement of successful breastfeeding. Research has also demonstrated that
following circumcision, infants suffer from "prolonged periods of non-REM
sleep," a symptom that would further contribute to inactive and unreceptive
tendencies.

Some of the infants observed in one study were supplemented with formula after
circumcision—due either to frustration on the part of the mother from failed
breastfeeding attempts or because doctors felt the infant was incapable of
postoperative breastfeeding. Because infants usually leave the hospital seven to
ten hours after the operation (many leave as early as three to six hours
post-op) the long-term negative effects of circumcision on breastfeeding is more
difficult to determine; however, "the observed deterioration in ability to
breastfeed may potentially contribute to breastfeeding failure."

Despite the fact that "circumcision is a painful, stressful, exhausting, and
traumatic experience for many infants," as many as 45% of doctors ignore the
recommendation by medical authorities to use an anesthetic during the procedure.
Because conclusive benefits of infant circumcision are not evident, there is no
danger in refusing or delaying the procedure. The Work Group on Breastfeeding of
the American Academy of Pediatrics officially discourages "stressful procedures"
such as circumcision and promotes breastfeeding as "primary in achieving optimal
infant and child health, growth, and development."

Source: Journal of Human Lactation 19(1), 2003.

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Other articles about circumcision and breastfeeding

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Circumcision - by Marian Tompson, co-founder of La Leche League

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Circumcision vs. Breastfeeding - downloadable pamphlet

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"The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" - an excerpt on circumcision

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Circumcision Leads to Breastfeeding Complications - Mothering Magazine

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Breastfeeding saves babies' lives, and circumcision interferes with
breastfeeding. Thus, circumcision is responsible for many deaths each year by
interfering with the breastfeeding relationship:

Position Statement: The Effects of Circumcision on Breastfeeding (from NOCIRC)

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Breastfeeding and the risk of postneonatal death in the United States.
Chen A, Rogan WJ.
Pediatrics. 2004 May;113(5):e435-9.

In addition to its many known bonding and health benefits, breastfeeding appears
to lower the risk of a baby dying during its first year of life, US research
indicates. As many as 720 babies die each year because they weren't breastfed,
and about 300 of those can be attributed to circumcision.

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GENERAL

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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has waffled on the issue of
circumcision.

In 2013, they took a more neutral stance, saying, "Because circumcision is not
essential to a child's health, parents should choose what is best for their
child by looking at the benefits and risks." This is a disingenuous statement,
ignoring the harm to breastfeeding and the harm to the baby's emotional
well-being and the mother-baby bond. Even from a medical point of view, they
gloss over the reality that circumcision is an amputation of healthy tissue.
They write, "The penis should be fully healed in about 1 week to 10 days after
circumcision." This makes it sound as if the penis will be as good as new. No,
it will be like an amputated leg where the skin has "healed" over the
amputation. The missing part is never going to come back.

In 2012, they reversed their recommendation against circumcision, and, they
actively recommended infant circumcision. The scuttlebutt is that pediatricians
started noticing the decline in income from the significant decline in infant
circumcisions.

When Edgar Schoen says, "It's a potent preventive health procedure that gives
you a health advantage." does he then recommend routine double mastectomy for
baby girls? About 40,000 women die every year from breast cancer. Every one of
these deaths could be prevented through routine infant mastectomy. And this
would be a relatively easy procedure when the breast bud is so small. Wouldn't
this be a "preventive health procedure that gives you a health advantage"?
Sheesh. If anyone recommended routine infant mastectomy, you'd think they were
either insane or criminally greedy.

Yet, somehow, routine removal of functional genital tissue from baby boys makes
sense.

I weep for the baby boys who suffer the amputation of healthy tissue because
greedy surgeons can't resist one more money-making procedure.

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Renowned Nobelist George Wald (a Jew) wrote about Circumcision. after his own
eyes were opened to the full issues.

Editors’ Note: At the 7th International Symposium on Circumcision, Genital
Integrity, and Human Rights, held at Georgetown University in Washington, DC,
Van Lewis presented a paper about the amazing work of George Wald (1906-1997),
who, in 1961, won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of Vitamin A in the retina
of the eye and how it works with light to produce vision. Not only was he a
world-class research scientist, Time magazine declared him one of America’s Ten
Best Teachers. A child of immigrant New York Jewish parents, beloved Harvard
biology professor, and well-known 20th century activist for peace and justice,
George Wald also worked to defend the right of all children, male and female, to
genital integrity. Here, thanks to Van Lewis and George Denniston — both
students of George Wald — and to his wife for giving us permission to publish
this never-before-published paper. This is what Dr. Wald had to say about penile
reduction surgery, euphemistically called circumcision.

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Circumcision Permanently Alters the Brain - The surgery subjected the infant to
significant trauma - "It was my idea to use fMRI and/or PET scanning to directly
observe the effects of circumcision on the infant brain.
Analysis of the MRI data indicated that the surgery subjected the infant to
significant trauma. The greatest changes occurred in the limbic system
concentrating in the amygdala and in the frontal and temporal lobes.
A neurologist who saw the results postulated that the data indicated that
#circumcision affected most intensely the portions of the victim’s brain
associated with reasoning, perception and emotions.
Follow up tests on the infant one day, one week and one month after the surgery
indicated that the child’s brain never returned to its baseline configuration.
In other words, the evidence generated by this research indicated that the brain
of the circumcised infant was permanently changed by the surgery." — Paul D.
Tinari, PhD from Your Whole Baby: A Community for Learning

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Some good general resources:

BeyondTheBris.com - A must-see video for Jewish parents wondering if — and how —
their non-circumcising family will be accepted in Jewish congregational life.

SavingSons.org - Should I Circumcise? The Pros and Cons of Infant Circumcision

DoctorsOpposingCircumcision.org - They have a Current News section, including
reports of accidental penile amputation.

They have a short YouTube video [2:31] on the subject.

Doctors Opposing Circumcision - [longer YouTube video, 9:06, 2/17/15] - George
Denniston, M.D., M.P.H., president of Doctors Opposing Circumcision, discusses
the issue of circumcision and why ethical doctors oppose genital cutting of
children. We all have the responsibility to know better.

American Circumcision movie - Doctors Opposing Circumcision is proud to support
the new feature-length documentary “American Circumcision.” This award-winning
film is now on a nationwide tour accompanied by filmmaker Brendon Marotta. Click
here to find a showing near you. Balanced, informative, and impactful, this film
is a must-see for everyone and should be a game-changer for the Genital Autonomy
movement! Available on: iTunes – Amazon – GooglePlay – YouTube – Vudu – Vimeo –
Microsoft – Barnes & Noble – Target – Best Buy – Walmart – Netflix – Comcast –
Spectrum – DirectTV – Dish Network – Verizon FIOS – Frontier – SuddenLink –
Media com – Wow – EastlinkTV – Shaw – Telus – Bakers & Taylor – Alliance
Entertainment – Midwest Tape

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Cock-ups happen [2/6/13] - The serious complications of circumcision are more
common than the less serious complications they're supposed to prevent. For
example,

> Amputation of the penis. - This extremely rare complication can be minimized
> by using good surgical technique but is unlikely to be eliminated.
> Unfortunately, even under ideal circumstances and with experienced surgeons
> [it] continues to occur.

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Commentary on AAP 2012 Circumcision Policy Statement from DOCTORS OPPOSING
CIRCUMCISION (D.O.C.) - Physicians for Genital Integrity

"The AAP, despite its high-sounding academic name, actually is a trade
association of pediatric doctors. Its primary duty is to advance the business
and professional interests of its 60,000 members who are called "fellows". The
interests of its child-patients are a distant second to their primary interest.”

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Avoid an Infant Circumcision Mistake
• Are you arguing about infant circumcision?
• Thinking about circumcising your baby boy?
• Want to verify you made the right decision?

Then this circumcision decision-making tool is for you. Just click decide to get
the infant or adult circumcision information you need.

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Sometimes it boggles my mind that people have a homebirth, decline the eye
ointment because it might bother the baby, and then cut off healthy genital
tissue. Sometimes I think they use up all their gumption in standing up to
their family around the homebirth issue. Even client families who haven't been
to a synagogue in years will talk about circumcision as a religious issue when
it's really a cultural issue for them.

And sometimes it boggles my mind even more that midwives who would bring out the
lawyers if a family planned any kind of female cutting will attend a bris and
sit by and smile as the boy baby is cut.

As healthcare professionals, I think we have an obligation to give parents real
healthcare information about the risks of circumcision, although you'd think it
would be obvious that there's a 100% chance that the baby will lose a
significant amount of healthy, functional tissue. They need to know that it's a
surgical procedure that can go wrong, and some babies are maimed or killed by
circumcision. (Well, really, technically all babies are maimed by circumcision,
since maimed means "physically injured".) And, of course, it interferes with
breastfeeding.

As advocates for babies, I think we have an obligation to encourage parents to
leave this decision up to the child. I'm happy to say that I've had three
Jewish families who did not circumcise their baby boys, and they've all thanked
me for helping them to get to that place. Two of them had lovely home no-cut
bris ceremonies for the babies, and I was very happy to attend.

You can learn about male and female circumcision for religious reasons and about
no-cut or low-cut bris ceremonies.

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Circumcision (Infant Male) from The College of Physicians and Surgeons of
British Columbia

“Circumcision removes the prepuce that covers and protects the head or the glans
of the penis. The prepuce is composed of an outer skin and an inner mucosa that
is rich in specialized sensory nerve endings and erogenous tissue. Circumcision
is painful, and puts the patient at risk for complications ranging from minor,
as in mild local infections, to more serious such as injury to the penis, meatal
stenosis, urinary retention, urinary tract infection and, rarely, even
haemorrhage leading to death.”

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German circumcision ban: Is it a parent's right to choose? [7/12/12] -
Apparently it has "always" been illegal to perform circumcision in Germany, but
the law hasn't been applied until now.

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Circumcision is among the rituals that are used to break the bond between mother
and baby. (Other such rituals are separation of mother and baby, and
substitution of formula for breastmilk. Some cultures provide substitutions only
for the first few days.) In addition to a rupture in the baby's sense of safety
and trust of the mother, there is also a disturbance in the mother's sense of
herself as the baby's protector.

There are some very interesting essays on circumcision as an important ritual in
the creation of a warrior class. We do have some academic research showing that
circumcision changes an infant's response to pain . . . [Ed: results in a
lifelong change in the response to pain. Somewhat surprisingly, this actually
makes the baby more sensitive to pain. Perhaps this helps to create a more
fierce warrior? Yes, that would make sense. If they're more sensitive to pain,
then a smaller wound would increase their adrenaline more and thus enable them
to fight more fiercely, short of a mortal wound.]

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Steep Drop Seen in Circumcisions in U.S. [NYTimes-8/16/10] - the rate was down
to 32.5 percent in 2009. The female circumcision rate remains low.

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NOCIRC has made a new, 20 minute video on circumcision.

In addition, a Circumcision Resource page has been developed for educators and
birth care providers. Here you will find videos, articles, and pamphlets that
discuss various aspects of the circumcision decision, as well as care of the
intact child. Included is "The Prepuce," a video produced by George Denniston,
M.D., that discusses in detail the anatomy and functions of the foreskin.

norm.org - A growing number of men who wish they had been left intact (not
circumcised) are benefitting from non-surgical foreskin restoration.

Doctor and Hospital Settle Circumcision Lawsuit - Stage Set for Men to Sue for
Being Circumcised as Infants - Men when they turn 18 have the legal right to sue
the doctor and hospital that circumcised them unnecessarily as infants. One man
has already done that and received a financial settlement. See

YouTube video about the recent African studies that claim to show that
circumcision prevents HIV. Dr. Dean Edell discusses these studies, and how they
relate to our own experience in the U.S.

Non-therapeutic circumcision of male minors (2010) -The Royal Dutch Medical
Association (KNMG) on May 27, 2010 published its policy statement, which states
that the circumcision of underage boys should be stopped. The society says
that circumcising boys without medical reason infringes upon the right to
autonomy and the right to bodily integrity.

Presently, eighteen states no longer fund non-therapeutic Medicaid
circumcisions, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho,
Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North
Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington.

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Circumcision: dirty little secrets exposed from Gloria Lemay's blog.

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The birthing professionals summary page :
http://www.icgi.org/birth_care_providers.htm

A good handout on care of the intact penis is from NOCIRC:
http://www.nocirc.org/publish/4pam.pdf

Intact America's handout on care of the intact penis:
http://intactamerica.org/node/12

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Intact America - a new organization is forming to raise awareness of the harms
of circumcision, combining and building on the work of the grassroots efforts
for the past 30 years.

Intact America’s circumcision information flyer in English

This flyer in Spanish

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International Coalition for Genital Integrity

A comprehensive informed consent about circumcision - Full Disclosure:
Circumcision Information for Health Professionals and Parents (6 pages) To make
an informed choice, parents of all male infants should be given accurate and
unbiased information. This document portrays all known issues dealing with
infant circumcision including, its benefits, risks and disadvantages.

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Mothering Magazine has some circumcision articles online.

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A series of articles from mothersagainstcirc.org, including:

The Case Against Circumcision by Paul M. Fleiss, MD

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Is Neonatal Circumcision Clinically Beneficial? Argument Against [Medscape
registration is free]
Posted 03/26/2009
Robert S. Van Howe

"Many of the "clinical benefits" lauded by advocates of circumcision include
reduced risk of phimosis, balanitis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), genital
cancer and sexually transmitted infections (STIs); however, evidence for these
benefits are weak or nonexistent, and several alternatives to circumcision are
available that are more effective, less invasive, and less expensive."
. . .
"Circumcision removes a complex, pentilaminar, specialized, junctional structure
that contains nearly all the penis' fine-touch neuroreceptors. Not surprisingly,
the foreskin is the most sensitive portion of the penis. Circumcision can reduce
the sensitivity of the glans to fine-touch and vibration.[11,12] No wonder
adults who undergo circumcision report less-satisfying sex, reduced sensitivity
and erectile function, difficulty with intromission, and increased premature
ejaculation.[13] Other commonly reported complications of circumcision include
infection (1–3%), excessive bleeding (1–9%), meatitis (20%), meatal stenosis
(5–8%), subcutaneous granuloma (5%), balanitis (16%), coronal adhesions (30%),
skin bridges (2%), and phimosis (1–2%). Parents also request a repeat
circumcision for cosmetic reasons in 2% of cases. Furthermore, circumcised
newborn boys are 12 times more likely to acquire community-associated
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections than uncircumcised
newborns.[14] Other less-common complications of circumcision include
septicemia, meningitis, Fournier gangrene, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome,
osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, tetanus, herpes simplex infection, empyema,
pubic hair strangulation, denudation of the penis, glans amputation, urethral
fistula, penile edema, pyogenic granulomas, acute urinary retention with acute
renal failure, ruptured bladder, UTI or urine advancing in subcutaneous fascial
plains, penile ischemia, pneumothorax, pseudoparaphimosis, pulmonary embolism,
unilateral leg cyanosis, gastric rupture, myocardial injury and erythema
multiforme.

Circumcision has no medical indication during the newborn period, and it is not
the first-line preventive for any illness. Very few adult men choose to be
circumcised, full disclosure is a rarity, and parental proxy consent for newborn
circumcision is not valid.[15] No reason exists that can justify why
circumcision cannot wait until the infant is old enough to choose for himself.
As a public health measure, newborn circumcision in the US has failed to show a
benefit in protecting against cervical cancer, penile cancer, STIs, and HIV."

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Circumcision links from BirthLove [Ed: birthlove.com is not available at this
time.]

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In Memory of the Sexually Mutilated Child

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Counseling Couples in Disagreement About Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective
Laurie Evans, M.A.
Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health, 2002 Fall; 17(1):85-94

APPPAH maintains online abstracts.

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Circumcision by Marylin Milos [9/20/05] - This has an excellent summary of the
history of circumcision.

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How Circumcision Affects Sexuality by Marilyn Milos, RN

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Weblog for Forced Genital Cutting Survivors - Project: OUCH! This is a
collection of first hand accounts told by victims, survivors, and participants
of forced genital cuttings including stories of male infant circumcisions,
female genital mutilations, and gender-norming surgeries.

blOUCH! is for the benefit of:
Anyone genitally traumatized, injured, scarred, tortured, sexually deprived, or
mutilated.
Anyone forcibly cut in a medical, cultural, religious, or ritual genital
cutting.
Men who were circumcised against their will, even if as an infant.
Women who were genitally cut against their will.
Intersexed who were forced to undergo gender norming surgery.
Anyone with an early recollection that may be from a genital cutting.
Parents who regret having cut their children.
Anyone traumatized by witnessing, participating in, or intervening with a forced
genital cutting.
Anyone in relationship with someone described above.

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dear mamma by Melissa M. Harden - about natural parenting for the first year,
with a strong emphasis on keeping male babies intact.

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"The foreskin is NOT a birth defect!" There's an exciting new public awareness
campaign - Billboards Across America - organized by NOCIRC. You can donate
towards renting billboards.

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Circumcision and Penile Care Resources for Birth Care Providers

Many expectant parents have questions about circumcision and proper foreskin
care of their baby boy. Over the past twenty years, more research has been done
on circumcision, including its immediate and lifelong effects. Parents
circumcise less as they learn more. Almost half of American boys, and most
Canadian boys, leave the hospital intact, and the number of intact boys is
rapidly increasing.

We have compiled a list of educational resources - pamphlets to download,
videotapes to watch, and websites to visit. You will find information including
medical recommendations regarding circumcision; how circumcision impacts
breastfeeding and what La Leche League's founder wrote about it; how
circumcision affects lovemaking; discussions about Christian, Catholic, and
Jewish points of view; information about adult foreskin restoration; infant
foreskin care; and much more. In addition, we have included information on
female genital cutting and resources for parents when a child is born
intersexed.

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There's a new book, Doctors Re-examine Circumcision.

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Circumcised Men Less Likely to Transmit Chlamydia Trachomatis

Female sexual partners of circumcised men are less likely to contract Chlamydia
trachomatis infections than are those of uncircumcised men, a
multinational team of investigators report.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection in female partners of circumcised and
uncircumcised adult men.
Castellsague X, Peeling RW, Franceschi S, de Sanjose S, Smith JS, Albero G, Diaz
M, Herrero R, Munoz N, Bosch FX; IARC Multicenter Cervical Cancer Study Group.
Am J Epidemiol. 2005 Nov 1;162(9):907-16. Epub 2005 Sep 21.

Direction for future inquiry - what would be the effect of amputation of the
entire glans? I'm guessing this would have even more significant effects in
reducing the infection rates of many sexually transmitted infections in their
female partners. What the heck . . . Why not just cut off the entire penis,
which would eliminate penile cancer in our lifetimes!

And while we're at it, how about routine amputation of breast tissue for all
female babies. This will significantly reduce, if not completely eliminate,
breast cancer.

You really have to wonder about any line of inquiry that encourages amputation
of healthy tissue. Why stop with primary or secondary sexual organs? Think
about the primary vector for colds and flus . . . the most recent research shows
that these germs are usually transmitted by the hands to the eyes/nose/mouth.
What if we cut off the hands? That would really cut down on transmission of
colds and flus. This might even be the key to preventing a pandemic of avian
flu.

This line of inquiry arises from ignorance about the function of the foreskin in
sexual arousal, stimulation and satisfaction. How can it make more sense to cut
off part of the body than to use a condom?

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The Prepuce - a new film by Doctors Opposing Circumcision; it's meant for
medical students but is good public education as well.

(WMP, streaming) http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/DOC/prepuce.html

(WMP, download)
http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/video/Circumcision_WM7NTSC_256k_D.wmv

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Circumcision FAQ from notjustskin.org

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Study shows circumcision may reduce AIDS risk

I grew up in the province where they did this study. It made me so angry reading
about it. More prejudiced scientists making assumption and conducting a study on
a (probably) disenfranchised population. I wonder if they even gave adequate
informed consent.

I also like to remind people that prophylactic double mastectomy reduces breast
cancer rates to almost zero, but I don't see people rushing to do them on
newborns. Having all your teeth removed prevents worries about tooth decay and
gum disease, too. Basically, people need to be helped to learn basic skills for
good hygiene.

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Regarding the study that shows that circumcising adult males reduces the spread
of AIDS, well, so would cutting off the whole penis. Maybe this is just a wild
guess, but it seems likely that the rate of all sexual contact is going to be
reduced significantly in the days immediately after circumcision, and that is
going to reduce the spread of HIV. But so do condoms!

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In response to good arguments that Circumcision is a "nice" phrase that doesn't
rightly describe the practice, I have added the phrase, "Male Genital
Mutilation" to the title of this web page. I also maintain some information
about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

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I had trouble finding pamphlets I could provide my clients to educate them about
circumcision. Some were kind of tucked away in the back pages of NOHARMM -
Order Form for NOHARMM Resources

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Intactivism - If tradition called for your healthy baby girl to be altered in
such a manner, would you consent to surgery?

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This nurse withdrew from nursing school after observing a circumcision and
questioning the medical model that perpetuates newborn mutilation.

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This homepage is primarily dedicated to non-violence, and includes a focus on
male and female circumcision, especially in the Arab countries. Written by Fr.
Raed Abu-Sahlieh and his brother Dr.Sami Aldeeb.

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Dr. Dean Edell's educational Web pages about circumcision, in response to the
American Academy of Pediatrics' New Circumcision Policy, as of March 1, 1999.

> "Circumcision is not essential to a child’s well-being at birth, even though
> it does have some potential medical benefits. These benefits are not
> compelling enough to warrant the AAP to recommend routine newborn
> circumcision."

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Circumcision Resource Center

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Circumcision Information and Resource Pages

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Mothers Against Circumcision

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Should Our Baby Be Circumcised? - from "The Marnie Ko Collection" on Nurturing
Online

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The aesthetics of the foreskin : Victor Doiteau, M.D from the French site -
Association contre la Mutilation des Enfants

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33 Photographs of The Intact Adult Male Foreskin By John A. Erickson from
foreskin.org

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There is also a FAQ available from misc.kids which lists reasons for or against
circumcision.

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C.I.R.C. is an organization fighting genital mutilation for both genders.
C.I.R.C. of Washington, P. O. Box 75594, Seattle, WA 98125.

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Declaration of the 1st International Symposium on Circumcision

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Lots of circumcision articles from P e a c e f u l B e g i n n i n g s (scroll
down about halfway)

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Circumcision, Baseball, Mom and Apple Pie by Donald Morgan

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Overview of Circumcision Issues - [This treatise is temporarily unavailable
pending a re-appearance on Don Morgan's own web site.]

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http://www.eskimo.com/~gburlin/restore/../circ.html
http://www.emf.net/~cheetham/kcicon-1.html
http://www.vix.com/pub/men/health/health.html
http://www.eskimo.com/~gburlin/mgm/mgm.html

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noharmm-l Mailing List: To subscribe, send the following (with your email
address substituted where shown) in the body of a message to
'majordomo@eskimo.com': SUBSCRIBE noharmm-l [Your email address]

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Attorneys for the Rights of the Child is a non-profit organization founded to
secure equal protection for, and broaden judicial and public recognition of,
children’s legal and human rights to bodily integrity and self-determination.

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NOHARMM - National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of
Males - Advocating Against Male Genital Mutilation

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Contact Ron Goldman, CRC, POB232, Boston, MA 02133 (617)523-0088 or 617-566-1430
Call NOCIRC and ask for the nearest resource or contact person. The number is
(415) 488-9883.

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Ted Ledbetter <tedled@earthlink.net> wrote:
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Mothers Eveywhere
FROM:Every Newborn Son
SUJECT: Circumcision

Do NOT do it to me. Please! Never!

1)It Hurts Like Hell!
2)Every part of me is God-given and no man or woman has the right to it take
away without my informed consent!
3)It's NOT a health issue any more than preventing breast-cancer by cutting off
the breasts of newborn girls Aren't you glad no one to cut off any part of you
when you were born? (Even if they did, don't do it to me.)
4)Don't ever believe any man who says he's glad it happened to him...what else
can he say without disrespecting the one who brought him into this world?
5)see #1

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NOCIRC-National Organization of Circ. Info. and Resource Centers

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CIRP-Circ. Info. and Resource Page

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Circumcision- the Real Truth

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Circumcision: A Medical or a Human Rights Issue?

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PARENTAL RIGHTS OF CIRCUMCISION

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Some people argue that it is a matter of parental rights for parents to do what
they think is best for their children.

If a parent believes that female circumcision is best for their daughter, why
would you oppose that, even if it's harmful? Perhaps there are social benefits
that accrue to the child. But if you really believe in parental rights, then it
doesn't matter whether or not there are any benefits. All that matters is that
the parents chose it for their child.

You probably know that the AAP does not recommend male circumcision for health
reasons, as it carries many of the same risks you list for female circumcision.
Yet many families do it for social reasons. Some families legitimately do it
for religious reasons, but the religious benefits accrue to the mother, not to
the child, so they're doing it for their own good, not for the child's good.

If you believe that amputation of healthy tissue to prevent health problems is
beneficial to a child, then it would make sense to do routine double
mastectomies on all newborn girls in order to prevent breast cancer. I would be
very surprised if you would support a parent's right to request that surgery for
their daughter based on parental rights.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEXISM OF MALE CIRCUMCISION

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is a sort of sexism in the circumcision discussion that I find somewhat
troubling.

I notice that birth advocates work hard to denounce the practice of episiotomy,
which is making a cut through the woman's genital tissue and then stitching it
back up after the baby is born. And many of them also work hard to eradicate
female circumcision, also called female genital mutilation, throughout the
world. In fact, female circumcision is now illegal in the United States and in
many other countries.

Yet, many of these same people are tolerant of male circumcision or even
indulgent of the practice.

Why is it OK to circumcise baby boys, who have no say over the situation, but
it's not OK for doctors to perform an episiotomy on a woman who has chosen this
doctor, or for young women to choose to travel to another country to be
circumcised?

This smacks of overt sexism: a feeling that baby girls, young women and birthing
women deserve more advocacy and protections than baby boys.

What's going on here?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INFECTIONS FROM CIRCUMCISION

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

State details safety lapses at Beth Israel - Sloppy cleaning, lax training are
cited [4/11/09]

[Ed: Beth Israel is one of the *best* hospitals around, and if they're having
trouble with antibiotic-resistant infections, you can bet that your local
community hospital is, too.]

Quote: And, on several occasions, the investigators observed worrisome lapses
related to circumcisions, including an instance when a nurse didn't change
gloves before tending to the dressings of a baby. Of the 19 infants who have
become ill with the drug-resistant staph infection, 15 have been boys, according
to Dr. Anita Barry, who is overseeing the investigation of the cases by the
Boston Public Health Commission.

"I think the circumcision dressing example was one we found particularly
problematic," Dreyer said. "You've got examples of contamination that may be in
the context of kids with open wounds from circumcision. The danger is spread of
infection."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How 11 New York City Babies Contracted Herpes Through Circumcision - An
ultra-Orthodox Jewish circumcision ritual is found to cause neonatal herpes
infections in newborns in New York City, prompting health officials to encourage
parents to consider the health risks of the practice.
By Alexandra Sifferlin | @acsifferlin | June 7, 2012 |

The report is sure to reignite a long-simmering debate over public health and
religious liberties: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
reported on Thursday that 11 baby boys in New York City were infected with
herpes between Nov. 2000 and Dec. 2011 following an ultra-Orthodox Jewish
circumcision ritual called metzitzah b’peh — or oral suction — in which the
mohel puts his mouth directly on the newborn’s circumcised penis and sucks away
the blood.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEATHS FROM CIRCUMCISION

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Circumcision: dirty little secrets exposed - Gloria Lemay's blog has a list of
publicized Circumcision Tragedies: Known Circumcision Deaths, Botched
Circumcisions, and Unauthorized Circumcisions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm going to start adding more recent death reports here, as these are unlikely
to be included in the summary articles below:

Nine week old Celian Noumbiwe died as a result of a circumcision.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deaths from Circumcision - a comprehensive article on the subject.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DISEASES OF CHILDREN, Volume 132, Page 1168.
December 1978.

This article states, "It is an uncontestable fact at this point that there are
more deaths from complications of circumcision than from cancer of the penis."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Search the internet for web pages about "deaths from circumcision".

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RECENT PAPERS ON CIRCUMCISION

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canadian Journal Reviews Studies on Circumcision

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Critique of Canadian Journal Reviews Studies on Circumcision

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Circumcising baby boys 'criminal assault'
Ethicist says society must consider ban Friday 17 October 1997, Sharon Kirkey,
The Ottawa Citizen

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kaiser Foundation Research Institute in Oakland, California, says routine
circumcision can significantly reduce the risk of urinary tract infection,
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV, and penile cancer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ed Schoen is a well-known circumcisionist whose rantings have been largely
dismissed by every medical association in the industrialized world. Not only is
his opinion biased it's also untrue, as the latest study reported in the NEJM
shows an INCREASE in STDs, particularly chlamydia, in circumcised men. Oh and
least we forget Schoen's atrocious poetry he loves to write on the subject of
what penes (penis-es) look like? The man has a serious problem.

> Much as prophylactic mastectomy would prevent breast cancer??

Actually the incidence of penile cancer many times less frequent than breast
cancer, and is most often linked to tobacco usage.

> On what studies are these claims based? The risk of penile cancer is as great
> as the risk of death from circumcision.

Oh, it's just Schoen at it again. He feels he doesn't need anything but his
opinions.

> The studies that I reviewed that claimed correlation between intact status and
> STD's, UTI's, and other "penile problems" were methodologically weak and not
> without significant bias.

This is why no major medical association will support these claims--they just
don't hold up under scrutiny.

> Be careful what you counsel your clients on if you haven't read the research
> for yourself.

Search the CIRP cite for more up-to-date research and statements by the
Australian and Canadian medical associations.

> sighing and shaking my head that we are so arrogant to think that we can
> improve upon nature.

Exactly, the burden of proof is on those who propose altering the normal state
of male genitalia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first is the long awaited appearance in the British Journal of Urology (1)
of the John R. Taylor article: The prepuce: Specialized mucosa of the penis and
its loss to circumcision. This article discusses anatomy and histology.

The second is the appearance in the British Medical Journal (2) of an important
letter from John Warren et Al. regarding the circumcision of children.

The letter says, "It cannot be ethical for a doctor to amputate normal tissue
from a normal child."

References:

1. Taylor JR, Lockwood AP, Taylor AJ; The prepuce: specialized mucosa of the
penis and its loss to circumcision. British Journal of Urology (1996), 77,
291-295

2. Warren J et al., Letter: Circumcision of Children, British Medical Journal
Volume 312, 377, 10 February 1996

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CIRCUMCISION COMPLICATIONS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The circumcision wound portal-of-entry can allow the development of severe
infections:

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. A complication of circumcision. [Full text
of case reports] [Related Articles]
Annunziato D, Goldblum LM.
Am J Dis Child. 1978 Dec;132(12):1187-8.

Numerous complications have been reported as a result of neonatal circumcision.
We describe here three cases of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome that were
thought to be due to infected circumcisions. A review of the literature failed
to disclose descriptions of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome as such a
complication. In spite of recent American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations
against routine circumcision, it will continue to be a common procedure. Careful
preoperative and postoperative screening and guidance are urged to prevent
staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome and other complications.

Neonatal staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome: massive outbreak due to an
unusual phage type. [Full text] [Related Articles]
Curran JP, Al-Salihi FL.
Pediatrics. 1980 Aug;66(2):285-90.

A massive outbreak of the staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome due to an
organism with an unusual phage pattern, occurred during a 115-day period and
involved 68 newborns. Generalized exfoliative dermatitis was seen in 24 babies,
and Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 23. Fourteen isolates were phage
typed, with 13 reported as the epidemic strain 29/79/80/3A/3C/54/75. Eight
babies had generalized scarlatiniform eruption without exfoliation
(staphylococcal scarlet fever). Cultural data were available from six, all
positive for S aureus. Four organisms were typed and reported as the epidemic
strain. Of 34 infants with bullous impetigo 20 had cultures that were positive
for S aureus, and four were phage typed, revealing the epidemic strain. Illness
was mild in all patients; there were no deaths and no invasive forms of
staphylococcal infection. The male to female ratio of generalized exfoliative
disease was 5:1. The concept of a neonatal staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome,
comprised of a triad of skin disorders induced by an exotoxin elaborated by
certain strains of coagulase positive S aureus, is confirmed.

Impetigo in newborn infants associated with a plastic bell clamp circumcision.
[Full text] [Related Articles]
Stranko J, Ryan ME, Bowman AM.
Pediatr Infect Dis. 1986 Sep-Oct;5(5):597-9.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Postcircumcision urinary tract infection.
Cohen HA, Drucker MM, Vainer S, Ashkenasi A, Amir J, Frydman M, Varsano I.
Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1992 Jun;31(6):322-4.

The possible association of urinary tract infection (UTI) with ritual
circumcision on the eighth day of life was studied by analyzing the epidemiology
of urinary tract infections during the first year of life in 169 children with
UTI (56 males and 113 females) born in Israel from 1979 to 1984. Forty-eight
percent of the episodes of UTI occurring in males appeared during the 12 days
following circumcision, and the increased incidence during that period was
highly significant. The median age of the males at the time of the UTI was 16
days, compared with seven months in females. Ritual Jewish circumcision as
practiced in Israel may be a predisposing factor for UTI during the 12-day
period following that procedure.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My client had her son circumcised at 15days after birth. Little boy was born
premature but a very mellow and easy going dude. Well it seems that since the
procedure he is more all around more sensitive. He gets really mad if he is
hungry or if his diaper is being changed ... Mom is a child psychologist and has
a theory that the boy's trust has been scared and the high sensitivity is a
result of the procedure. It makes sense to me but I couldn't really give her any
more insight. Does anyone specifically have information on this aspect of the
procedure.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, some of the earliest research on the emotional effects of circumcision
showed that the boys were changed for life so that they were emotional more
fragile.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

nocirc.org/articles

and specifically:

nocirc.org/articles/rhinehart1.php

I'd start here and use some of their references/works cited pages. This mother
is right on. I lost track of the number of nursing issues I saw b/c of circ. "He
just stopped eating." or "He was fine yesterday and today he's lethargic and not
eating." or "Now he cries all the time but he won't eat." I'll always remember
the one client where I put two and two together and since then I've seen it
enough to know that babies are really smart and they know that nursing leads to
peeing, so to help heal that wound, many won't eat. Some go into a sort of shock
where they sleep a lot (and some parents mistake this for a good thing) and
others just cry inconsolably.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BIRTH PROFESSIONALS AND CIRCUMCISION

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doctors Opposing Circumcision (D.O.C.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nurses for the Rights of the Child

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nurses Refuse to Participate in Circumcision

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doula Advocates Against Circumcision

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESPONDING TO AN INVITATION TO ATTEND A RITUAL CIRCUMCISION/BRIS OR BRIT

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have been invited several times by parents to attend the (religious)
circumcision of their baby. I accepted the first invitation and it was a very
difficult experience for me, because I felt that I was witnessing an act of harm
(though not intended) which I could not support. The next two times I was
invited, I told the parents that I had another obligation that day and was not
able to attend. I felt bad for being untruthful. I know that it is a very
meaningful event for the parents and that it is an honor for me to be included
with the family. What have others done in this situation?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have also faced this dilemma.

As much as I want to avoid ruffling feathers and hurting feelings, I think that
worrying about hurting the feelings of someone who is about to do physical harm
to their child is setting the wrong priority. (This ignores the issue of whether
it's "bad for business.")

This has happened only a few times, but when I've been invited to a bris, I ask
if it's going to be a symbolic ceremony or if they are really going to amputate
the foreskin. (There's a group of Jewish people who advocate doing a
non-amputation ceremony.)

If they're actually going to cut the baby, I explain that after putting so much
energy into working towards a safe, gentle birth for this baby, I can't stand by
and watch them cut him.

I once had a Jewish homebirth client who actually changed her mind about
circumcision.

But even if it doesn't change anyone's mind, my conscience will be clear that I
did what I could to try to preserve genital integrity for this baby.

I sincerely hope that the day will come when nobody would ever think to invite
me to watch them amputate healthy tissue from their newborn baby.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AN OB COMMENTS ON THE PAIN OF CIRCUMCISION

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I usually notice the first blood curdling scream when the nurse straps the
little guy's legs down on the circumstraint. (Does that come from the restraint
or fear of his circumcision?)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I always thought the worst cry came with the cold betadine wash.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regarding risk of injury to the penis with a block; those reports are using
lidocaine with epi. When I was taught and when I teach residents/interns and
colleagues how to do this block - the emphasis is to always use plain lidocaine.
I don't know of any reason plain lidocaine would cause distal injury. There is
no vascular spasm even with intravascular injection. And, after you do a few
circs with local block and see the difference in the baby's behavior, you will
never again do it without a block. During the injection, I use a 30 gauge
needle, inject very slowly and only 0.2 cc (1% lidocaine) at 10-11 and 1-2
o'clock. Some babies barely respond to the block itself; some cry a little, but
nothing like the blood curdling scream you get with the circ and no anesthesia.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[and a parent and nurse comment on pain]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

our son was born in a hosp and needed to stay 5 days for observation. we opted
instead to bring sage into the hosp every day to get checked. during that time,
we were present for a handful of circumcisions. this guy (looked and dressed
like capt. kangaroo) came into the nursery and did it right there. at least he
had the courtesy of closing the window blinds first. my husband and son and I
were in the nursery, in a closed room waiting to see the pede each day. the
first time there was a circ, the piercing cries and screams of the baby made us
all cry. we were not able to watch but the sounds were heartbreaking and
haunting. the next time we requested a radio to block out the cries of the baby
but that baby did little more than squeak after the initial screaming and before
it was over the baby was red faced and obviously terrified. his mouth was open
but no sound came out. all we could do each day was hold our son tightly and
gape at each other. there is no way I would ever subject any child of mine to
such horror and pain. I could not imagine doing that after carrying him in my
body for nearly a year, loving and nurturing him in every way. his penis is his
and not mine. my children are gifts to me and I took care to grow them as well
as I could in order to give them bodies and minds that will serve them perfectly
for the length of their lives. I cannot justify altering them because of my
opinion of how they should look.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your description is very accurate. I have assisted with about 200 and I have
seen sleeping babies not wake up as I gently strapped them to the table. One
even slept through the betadine and that is cold stuff. So it is not the
restriction that is the problem. They take a metal probe - similar to the one
the dental hygienist scales teeth with - and separate the foreskin from the
glans. Babies scream so hard that they end up with their faces red and mouths
wide open with no sound coming out. I had to hold their heads to the side
because some vomit from the pain. I always had to get close to their faces and
stroke their cheeks because they would stop breathing. The doc puts a bell over
the foreskin and slides a sterile safety pin through a hole and then through the
skin. He cuts with a blade for what seems like an eternity for this baby and
deposits the skin o the sterile tray. The penis is RAW - I often thought it must
feel like a 3rd degree burn with alcohol being poored over it.

Consoling is impossible. They shake and their eyes are wide open with panic.
Yes, I felt horrible every time. I never got used to it. Each procedure looked
as barbaric as the next. Many too much skin was taken off or too little (not
worth all that torture). I have seen infections, too. The risk of any invasive
procedure even with sterile fields.

I get calls from moms who had no problems with breastfeeding and suddenly have
trouble. If it is a baby boy, I try to remember to ask when and if he was
circumcised. Many of my consults are a result of trauma from the circs. The
babies state of homeostasis is so messed up from the stress that they are no
longer able to suck. Every IBCLC (lactation consultants) that I know will tell
you how circumcision is a major source of feeding problems in the days
following.

It is simple. If I had not seen circumcisions in person I would have done it.
Even after all those circs - I thought I would do it except with anesthetic. I
thought there was a health benefit and it was pleasing to me aesthetically (now
I think intact is more pleasing to the eye - my husband even wants his back!)
When we decided to research the topic when I was actually pregnant - we also
learned of the functions of the foreskin and the health benefits. It was
enlightening. Two weeks after my son's birth we made our final decision. We took
our time - we were pretty objective and we are both very capable of determining
the validity of studies. It doesn't take a person well versed in statistics to
read the information anyway. Reviewing the evolution and history of
circumcision, studying the function of the foreskin and witnessing at least one
is enough to cure ANYONE of believing in the procedure. I am sorry you had to
see that in the nursery. I can still feel it in my stomach.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CIRCUMCISION AND RELIGIOUS ISSUES

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jews Against Circumcision

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beyond the Bris: Questioning Jewish Circumcision - "Shalom. I’m Israeli, I’m
Jewish and I’m an Intactivist, which means I strive to end male circumcision
performed on infants and children in Israel and around the world. . . . For the
first time in my life, I felt a strong urge to take a public stance. To make a
change. To help parents who do not want to circumcise but are too afraid to even
consider leaving their sons intact. To protect children from damage to their
bodies; from pain, and suffering, and risk."

Eight Reasons Why An Intact Penis Is Better Than A Cut Penis - The video is in
Hebrew with English subtitles. Click the small captions button on the bottom
right corner of the film to turn on the English subtitles. BONUS - this guy has
a sense of humor!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brit Shalom Celebrants - Brit Shalom is a non-cutting naming ceremony which
replaces Brit Milah (ritual circumcision) for newborn Jewish boys.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jewish Movement … to Abolish Circumcision – Web Resources from Peaceful
Beginnings from Rosemary

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Circumcision and Religion from NOCIRC

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Counseling Couples in Disagreement About Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective
Laurie Evans, M.A.
Journal of Prenatal & Perinatal Psychology & Health, 2002 Fall; 17(1):85-94

APPPAH maintains online abstracts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From the British Medical Journal:

> Maimonides, a famous Jewish sage and a physician, wrote in the 12th century
> about circumcision "that one of its objects is to limit sexual intercourse,
> and to weaken the organ of generation as far as possible, and thus cause man
> to be moderate. ... for there is no doubt that circumcision weakens the power
> of sexual excitement, and sometimes lessens the natural enjoyment; ... It is
> hard for a woman, with whom an uncircumcised had sexual intercourse, to
> separate from him"[12]. He also wrote "that some people believe that
> circumcision is to remove a defect in man's formation; but every one can
> easily reply: How can products of nature be deficient so as to require
> external completion, especially as the use of the fore-skin to that organ is
> evident. This commandment has not been enjoined as a complement to a deficient
> physical creation, but as a means for perfecting man's moral shortcomings. The
> bodily injury caused to that organ is exactly that which is desired"[12].
>
> Maimonides does not take circumcision lightly, "for circumcision is not like
> an incision on the leg, or a burning in the arm, but a very difficult
> operation"[12]. His serious attitude probably stems from the fact that no
> modern medicine was available to save the little victims from the "accidents"
> of circumcision.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Even the parents who cut for religious reasons are beginning to reject the
concept of a God who requires a blood sacrifice.
http://jewishcircumcision.org
http://www.circumstitions.com/Islam.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Being Rational About Circumcision and Jewish Observance

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ALTERNATIVE BRIS CEREMONIES

Helen Bryce
PO Box 1305, Capitola
CA 95010-1305
(408) 475-3313

Moshe Rothenberg
715 Ocean Parkway #2K
Brooklyn, NY 11230 -1134
(718) 859-0650

Circumcision Resource Center
Ron Goldman
P.O. Box 232
Boston, MA 02133
(617) 523-0088

Alternative Bris Support Group
Natili Bivas
248 Ventura Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(415) 424-9855

NOCIRC, National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers. P.O.
Box 2512, San Anselmo, CA 94979.

NOHARMM, National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of
Males. P.O. Box 460795 San Francisco, CA 94146.

Alternative Bris Support Group, c/o Natali Bivas, 248 Ventura Avenue, Palo Alto,
CA 94306, 415-424-9855. (Alternative Bris is a naming ceremony only, with no
circumcision)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From a NOHARMM pamphlet:

".....Jewish men themselves are highly active in the anti-circumcision
movement....Most people don't know it's not circumcision which confers upon one
their Jewishness. While circumcising an infant son might arguably make a parent
(not the child) a more observant Jew, Jewishness itself comes (except for
converts) simply from having a Jewish mother. The circumcision most American
Jewish males receive from a doctor doesn't satisfy religious requirements.
Moreover, some Jews reject ancient practices that violate human rights and have
adopted more humane Bris ceremonies appropriate to both sexes. Alternative Bris
support groups exist here in the United States.

We impugn no religion, but assert that an intact body is a universal human
right. Indeed, we affirm the rite of circumcision for religious purposes when
the participant himself willingly chooses it. We as circumcised men of all
religions have experienced genital abuse against our wills. We have the right
and duty to speak out against a practice that we feel has harmed our violated
us, even if it confronts religious tradition. We affirm the universal human
right to be free from genital alteration and we support men in their efforts to
educate their respective cultures about this issue."

I hope this helps. Please email me and let me know what responses you get from
my forwarding your letter, and let me know if you have any other questions -
I'll try to help in any way I can. Jenna

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JEWISH SUPPORT GROUPS FOR INTACT BABIES:

Circumcision Resource Center, P.O. Box 232, Boston MA 02133, (617) 523-0088.

Helen Bryce, Alternative Bris Support Group, (408) 475-3313.

Moshe Rothenberg, 715 Ocean Pkwy #2K, Brooklyn, NY 11230-1134, (718) 859-0650.

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