Part of a debate published in BMJ, 2007;335:1180 (8 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.39406.520498. Geoff Hinchley argues that the practice of male infant circumcision is harmful and should be stopped.

The unpalatable truth is that logic and the rights of the child play little part in determining the acceptability of male genital mutilation in our society. The profession needs to recognise this and champion the argument on behalf of boys that was so successful for girls.