European countries are changing their approach to so-called “gender-affirming care” and admitting that many of the treatments provided to confused or unwell children may be causing them harm. In the UK for example, the National Health Service (NHS) has quietly changed its view and effectively banned the practice of distributing “puberty blockers” to children.
These drugs are used as part of “gender-affirming care” and are given to pre-pubescent children to prevent the normal development of their bodies. One such drug is Lupron, which has previously been used to chemically castrate rapists and pedophiles. The NHS, which said in the past that puberty blockers were harmless and reversible, now says it does not know the long-term effects and that the drugs should be administered with great caution and only as part of clinical research.
In France, the National Academy of Medicine is now warning that puberty blockers may cause serious physical and psychological health problems. In a press release, the Academy stated, “The greatest caution is needed in their use, taking into account the side effects such as the impact on growth, bone weakening, risk of sterility, emotional and intellectual consequences and, for girls, menopause-like symptoms.”
Republican leaders in the United States have noticed the change in Europe. Texan Rep. Dan Crenshaw said it is “beneficial” that Europe is putting its foot on the brake and calling a halt to potentially unsafe practices. However, the American Medical Association (AMA) appears to be digging its heels in and rejecting the European approach.
On June 12, the AMA released a statement saying any concerns about “gender-affirming care” are based on “misinformation.” The Association maintains that the treatment provided to people with gender identity confusion is based on settled science and thousands of studies. At a hearing in Congress, Dan Crenshaw asked Dr. Meredithe McNamara to name a single study showing the benefits of “gender-affirming care” to young people. She was unable to do so.
