[troutman]

https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/new...-circumcision/

Back in 2008, I tried to look objectively at the scientific evidence for and against circumcision. I got a lot of flak from commenters who focused on the ethical issues rather than the scientific evidence. I concluded that the evidence showed small benefits and small risks, and I didn’t advocate either for or against the procedure.

On August 27, 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a revised Circumcision Policy Statement saying that the benefits outweigh the risks.

The revised policy is based on the findings of a multidisciplinary task force that did a systematic evaluation of the peer-reviewed literature from 1995 through 2010.

They report the scientific data. The decision to circumcise or not to circumcise is based on those data along with non-scientific considerations like religion, ethics, and cultural practices. It seems that most people are unable to discuss the risk/benefit data without getting all riled up about those other issues.

The AAP policy is based on a fair evaluation of the scientific evidence for and against circumcision. Ethical, religious, legal, and cultural issues are outside the sphere of science, and the AAP rightfully leaves those issues for parents and society to decide.

And follow the debate in the comments under the article.