CDC's Decision to Consider Routine Newborn Circumcision Examined

In a column, the Jackson Clarion Ledger's Shanderia Posey examines CDC's decision to consider recommending newborn boys be circumcised as part of an effort to reduce the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. According to the column, "Opponents of the possible recommendation argue that routine circumcisions would not impact STD transmissions in the United States considering 80 percent of all adult men are already circumcised." In addition,"[E]veryone doesn't view the procedure as medically necessary and opt not to do it for cultural and religious reasons. Some even point to the lack of an infant's consent," the column states. "Experts from all over are weighing in on this one, and it will surely be a hot topic of discussion at the National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta this week. Parents should continue to research the pros and cons of the surgery and make their own decision. As for the CDC's, we'll have to hurry up and wait," the column concludes (Posey, 8/25).

Back to other news for August 2009