Professor of Pediatrics cautions about the dangers of male genital mutilation

Letter to the ed Globe and Mail, April 26, 2014

Circumcision carries risks

Re Circumcision, HIV (letters, April 25):

While circumcision may have value in combatting HIV transmission in Africa, where rates are high, it’s unwise to adopt that strategy in developed countries with low rates, as there is a mortality risk associated with this procedure.
In Canada, there were at least two deaths in normal newborns from complications related to circumcision in the past 10 years. More are reported in other countries. The most important risk for acquiring HIV rests with behaviour, not the presence or absence of the foreskin.

Paul Thiessen, MD, Vancouver, BC Canada
Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/letters/talking-point/article18231799/ this letter is at the very bottom of the page.

Dr. Paul Thiessen is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia. He graduated of the University of Alberta in 1974, and completed his residency training at the University of BC as well as the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He is the Medical Director of Intermediate Nursery, BC Women’s Hospital since 1996, and the Medical Director of the Spinal Cord Clinic at BC Children’s Hospital since 1994. He has a longstanding interest in medical education, and was chair of the Annual Meetings Committee of the Canadian Pediatric Society from 2003 to 2009. He is a general pediatric consultant in a group practice of 6 pediatricians involved extensively in neonatal medicine. He has a longstanding interest in international health, and over the past 20 years has been involved in health care projects in Ukraine, India and Uganda.
Source: http://thischangedmypractice.com/bios/ the bios are in alphabetical order.
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Art by Amy Haderer of Mandala Journey

Art by Amy Haderer of Mandala Journey

Comment from Gloria Lemay: The South African Medical Assoc has rejected amputation of the foreskin as a method of reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS. This is an article explaining why http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/viewFile/5384/3636

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