Circumcising a boy before they reach an age where they can decide for themselves is “ethically unacceptable,” doctors in Denmark have said. The Danish Medical Association made the recommendation Friday, stressing that the procedure should be “an informed, personal choice,” and warning against possible complications. The doctor even released a press release about their recommendation.

Circumcision Is ‘Ethically Unacceptable’ According To Doctors In Denmark

According to IBT, having a boy undergone the process of circumcision before they reach an age where they can decide for themselves is “ethically unacceptable." doctors in Denmark have said. The Danish Medical Association made the recommendation Friday, stressing that the procedure should be “an informed, personal choice,” and warning against possible complications.

A press release said that only when there is an express medical need should a circumcision be performed on boys under the age of 18. "To be circumcised should be an informed, personal choice," Lise Møller, the chairwoman of the doctors' association's ethics board, said. "It is most consistent with the individual's right to self-determination that parents not be allowed to make this decision but that it is left up to the individual when he has come of age."

Independent reported that doctors stopped short of calling for an all-out legal ban on the procedure, which is currently allowed but remains relatively rare in Denmark, because it said the move could have too many negative consequences.

“We have discussed it thoroughly, also in our ethics committee," Ms Møller said. "We came to the conclusion that it is difficult to predict the consequences of a ban – both for the involved boys, who could for example face bullying or unauthorized procedures with complications – and for the cultural and religious groups they belong to."

Male Circumcision Fact

Male circumcision is the removal of the foreskin from the human penis. In the most common procedure, the foreskin is opened, adhesions are removed, and the foreskin is separated from the glans. After that, the circumcision device is placed, and then the foreskin is cut off. Topical or locally injected anesthesia is occasionally used to reduce pain and physiologic stress.