California Bill Seeks Statewide Circumcision Rules

_Toast · 2011-08-24T17:55:42+00:00

Why are politicians making half baked medical statements, they're not doctors. Its so sad that they are drawn to such a weak argument.

kloo2yoo · 2011-08-24T13:55:04+00:00

My attempt at a letter to California's elected representatives. Please check references and adapt to your priorities.

Dear Senator / Representative X:

It has come to my attention that certain groups what to legislate the message that circumcision -- surgically removing the foreskin that covers the tip of the penis -- "has health, cultural and other benefits, and that uniform statewide rules are needed to govern it and a parent's authority over whether their children receive it."

Firstly, While there are, arguably, benefits for amputating the flesh of a nonconsenting child, the claimed health benefits are negligible in comparison to the fact of the pain and amputation.

There are claims about the prevention of HIV and other STDs. They are not complete, however:

A meta-study of 35 articles on circumcision vs. HIV found that: a man with a circumcised penis is at GREATER risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV than a man with a non-circumcised penis [2]

Furthermore, in a study published in The Lancet, which was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, found that Circumcision of HIV-infected men did not reduce HIV transmission to female partners over 24 months; longer-term effects could not be assessed. Condom use after male circumcision is essential for HIV prevention. [3]

and a 1994 study finds that circumcision has no significant effect on STD risks in developed nations:

"Conclusions-From the findings of this study, circumcision of men has no significant effect on the incidence of common STDs in this developed nation setting. However, these findings may not necessarily extend to other setting where hygiene is poorer and the spectrum of common STDs is different.[4]

Another study has linked circumcision [5] with a 'lower risk' of penile injuries(cuts, abrasions, etc) during sex, and thus concludes that there would be a lower risk of AIDS transmission. Other factors were lubrication and condom use. The former cannot be reversed; the latter two can be had. Additionally, the study was done in Kenya, where dry sex (a sexual practice involving the deliberate dessication of the vagina) is a common occurrence. [6]

Secondly, the cultural benefits to genital mutilation simply are not sufficient to justify its continued practice. Circumcision is extremely painful for the infant, and are expected, as explained in Jewish law books, to be painful Jewish practitioners [7]. Furthermore, religious and cultural customs cannot be accepted as an excuse to commit an offense against 18USC116, which prohibits of mutilating female children's' genitals.

Please oppose this bill. It dies not serve the male children of your district, your state, or your nation.

[1] http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/08/23/california-bill-seeks-statewide-circumcision-rules/

[2] http://www.cirp.org/library/disease/HIV/vanhowe4/

[3]http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2809%2960998-3/abstract

[4]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1195274/pdf/genitmed00023-0023.pdf

[5]http://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347%2810%2902988-5

[6] http://sti.bmj.com/content/82/5/392.abstract

[7] Encyclopedia of Jewish medical ethics: a compilation of Jewish medical law page 204 http://books.google.com/books?id=aaklGZAID08C&lpg=PP1&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false

RsonW · 2011-08-24T18:20:51+00:00

Anyone in Sacramento want to march on the Capitol with me?

careless · 2011-08-24T19:56:50+00:00

Downvoted for linking to foxnews.com

DocBrown1984 · 2011-08-24T17:00:08+00:00

To a certain degree, I agree with this legislation. They shouldn't ban it, because there are religions who require it. Church & state and all that.

On the other hand, they are trying to write in the "health benefits" into the law, which are unknown at best, and outright lies at worst. Lets leave it alone for those who wish to do it for religious reasons, but inform people of the risks involved, and debunk the myths of the rewards.

Equa1 · 2011-08-24T13:46:32+00:00

[permanently deleted]

memymineown · 2011-08-24T20:18:49+00:00

Oh teh noes!!!11!! An entire state rescued from having a gross, cheese caked dick that women find repulsive.

Title	California Bill Seeks Statewide Circumcision Rules
Author	deathsythe
Upvotes	22
Comments	16
Date	August 24, 2011 12:05 PM UTC (14 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/jss9m/california_bill_seeks_statewide_circumcision_rules/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/california-bill-seeks-statewide-circumcision-rules.1035512 https://theredarchive.com/post/1035512

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