A Critique of the Cass Review and the Implications of "Gender Restrictive Care"

A University of York review of research supporting gender affirming care (GAC) of gender dysphoric children and adolescents suggested that the research was of such poor quality that it could endanger the health of these patients. Cass used that finding to argue for restrictions on access to GAC. Without commenting on the University of York's review or the quality of research underlying GAC, I analyze Cass' recommendations for the quality of the research supporting restrictions on GAC and whether those restrictions endanger the health of children and adolescents. The current Commentary will show that Cass' recommendations are not supported by research and it is her recommendations that may present a danger to the health of gender dysphoric children and adolescents. Further analysis will show that such restrictions are ethically problematic and could worsen both the short- and long-term outcomes for gender dysphoric children, adolescents, and adults.