Child Circumcision: An Elephant in the Hospital is a video by Ryan McAllister, PhD. McAllister presents a lecture for folks on all sides of the male circumcision debate. The video presentation covers circumcision history in the English-speaking world. He replaces the loaded words and terms surrounding the subject -- such as circumcised and uncircumcised -- with more neutral terms such as "genital cutting," and "intact."  McAllister presents a fresh look at circumcision. 

Today, many Americans think of circumcision as an outdated surgical procedure that is harmful for baby boys. Even still, neonatal male circumcision remains the most common operation carried out in the US today.

Ryan McAllister talks about infant circumcision, the practice in US hospitals, the practice in other countries, what it removes, the effects on the child, inferences from scientific data, potential complications, its effect on sexuality, the difference between medical procedures and social surgeries, and contemporary bioethics principles of genital alterations. He also discusses the human cost of the procedure, questions from the perspectives of the child, the adult survivor, the parent, and the practitioner. The lecture also questions the conclusions regarding penile cancer, the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs), cervical cancer rates in female partners, reduction of female to male HIV transmission, the spread of HPV, and other diseases. 

Ryan McAllister, PhD, is a parent, a biophysicist, an Assistant Professor of Physics and Oncology at Georgetown University, and works as a volunteer supporting parents and families. Dr. McAllister helps families understand medical questions. Over the last 10 years he has been studying the medicalization of childbirth in US hospitals.

Related Links:

• Download the slides, supplementary material, references, and a copy of the video
• Not Just Skin: Ryan McAllister's site for supporting the physical health, emotional wellness, and quality of relationships of children, parents, and others
• Vimeo Video of Child Circumcision: An Elephant in the Hospital