Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
Microscopic Replantation of Penile Glans Amputation Due to Circumcision
Published on: June 3, 2022
[Circumcision in male newborns--update]
1Rabbi Immanuel Jakobovits Center for Jewish Medical Ethics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba, Israel. gshimon@bgu.ac.il
Insights
Infant circumcision offers significant health benefits, including reduced risks of infections and certain cancers. Medical evidence does not support claims of harm or sexual dysfunction, refuting arguments for prohibition.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Growing international debate surrounding infant and child circumcision.
- Concerns raised regarding alleged violation of autonomy and potential harm to minors.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the medical literature regarding the health impacts of infant circumcision.
- To address claims of harm and sexual dysfunction associated with the procedure.
Summary:
- Controlled studies demonstrate substantial health advantages of infant circumcision.
- Benefits include decreased urinary tract infections, elimination of penile cancer, and reduced rates of HIV, HPV, and other STIs.
- Complications are minimal, particularly when performed in infancy, and recent research refutes claims of reduced sexual pleasure.
Impact:
- Provides evidence-based counterarguments to proposed bans on infant circumcision.
- Suggests potential public health benefits in encouraging the practice.
- Highlights the discrepancy between medical evidence and legislative/societal opposition.
Abstract:
Recently, there have been efforts in a number of countries to forbid the circumcision of infants and children. This position, which is based on alleged violation of autonomy and on serious harm to the infant or child, is not supported by the medical literature. Controlled studies have accumulated showing the major health benefits of circumcision of infants; there is a decrease in urinary tract infections, a virtual elimination of cancer of the penis, a reduction in HIV and HPV infections, as well as other sexually transmitted diseases, and perhaps, reductions in prostatic cancer and in uterine cervical cancer. The complications of the procedure are minimal, especially when performed in infancy. Recent studies have not confirmed the alleged reduction in sexual pleasure as a result of circumcision. Therefore, there is no justification, whatsoever, for attempts to forbid circumcision of infants. On the contrary, there seem to be good reasons to encourage such practices.
