Male Circumcision - Ethics guide (BBC Archive)
Arguments for circumcision
Religious Reason
Most people circumcise for religious reasons. Muslims, Jews and many Christians believe that circumcision has been ordained by in their religion. According to most muslims circumcision is a Sunnah, though some consider it obligatory (see footnote).
Health Benefits
We believe that circumcision has clear health benefits:
1. It avoids smegma from accumulating under the foreskin (prepuce).
2. It allows easy cleaning of the glans.
3. It prevents harbouring of germs under the foreskin.
4. Circumcised adults are less likely to develop HIV, provided other recommended preventative measures are also observed. (World Health Organisation - Male Circumcision)
5. Circumcised men are less likely to harbour and transmit Human Papilloma Virus which can cause cervical cancer in women.
6. Balanitis (inflammation of the glans) can be prevented and urinary tract infection reduced by circumcision.
However a large number (probably most) of circumcisions in the world are carried out in childhood on religious or cultural grounds.
Arguments against circumcision (Circumcision Resource Center)
There are many who object against circumcision - they object on grounds such as removing the foreskin in unnatural, the child does not have the ability to state its preference and circumcision is risky.
Note: These arguments are contested by those who support circumcision - they argue that religious circumcision is not a medical practise, it is a religious act, humans carry out other practices like cutting the umbilical cord, vaccination, cutting nails, trimming hairs etc. which could equally be classed as unnatural and complications of circumcision are extremely rare.
In the end it is parental choice that guides the decision in children.
References:
Hadith:
Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that he heard the Prophet (SW) saying. "Five practices are characteristics of the fitrah (human nature): circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustaches short, clipping the nails, and removing the hair of the armpits." ( Bukhari, Book #72, Hadith #779)
Most people circumcise for religious reasons. Muslims, Jews and many Christians believe that circumcision has been ordained by in their religion. According to most muslims circumcision is a Sunnah, though some consider it obligatory (see footnote).
Health Benefits
We believe that circumcision has clear health benefits:
1. It avoids smegma from accumulating under the foreskin (prepuce).
2. It allows easy cleaning of the glans.
3. It prevents harbouring of germs under the foreskin.
4. Circumcised adults are less likely to develop HIV, provided other recommended preventative measures are also observed. (World Health Organisation - Male Circumcision)
5. Circumcised men are less likely to harbour and transmit Human Papilloma Virus which can cause cervical cancer in women.
6. Balanitis (inflammation of the glans) can be prevented and urinary tract infection reduced by circumcision.
However a large number (probably most) of circumcisions in the world are carried out in childhood on religious or cultural grounds.
Arguments against circumcision (Circumcision Resource Center)
There are many who object against circumcision - they object on grounds such as removing the foreskin in unnatural, the child does not have the ability to state its preference and circumcision is risky.
Note: These arguments are contested by those who support circumcision - they argue that religious circumcision is not a medical practise, it is a religious act, humans carry out other practices like cutting the umbilical cord, vaccination, cutting nails, trimming hairs etc. which could equally be classed as unnatural and complications of circumcision are extremely rare.
In the end it is parental choice that guides the decision in children.
References:
- Is infant male circumcision an abuse of the rights of the child? No
- Is infant male circumcision an abuse of the rights of the child? Yes
- Male Circumcision, Penile Human Papillomavirus Infection, and Cervical Cancer in Female Partners
- Circumcision for the prevention of urinary tract infection in boys: A systematic review of randomized trials and observational studies
- How does male circumcision protect against HIV infection?
- American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends Circumcision
- Circumcision Benefits Exceeds Risks
- Do the Health Benefits of Neonatal Circumcision Outweigh the Risks?
- Wikipedia - Khitan (circumcision)
- Wikipedia - Religious Male Circumcision
- Wikipedia - Circumcision
Hadith:
Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that he heard the Prophet (SW) saying. "Five practices are characteristics of the fitrah (human nature): circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustaches short, clipping the nails, and removing the hair of the armpits." ( Bukhari, Book #72, Hadith #779)
