The majority of neo-natal circumcisions performed in American hospitals today are done on an elective basis, at the discretion of parents. The American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommends this procedure, citing “potential medical benefits and advantages as well as disadvantages and risks.” In some cases, either by way of inertia or because of greed, hospital staff sometimes push the surgery on ill informed parents.

What often gets lost in the shuffle is the invasive nature of the procedure and its potential harmful effects on sexual health. Circumcision removes roughly 50% of total penile surface skin, and by some estimates 20,000 – 70,000 specialized nerve endings. In fact studies have shown that this surgical procedure removes some of our best bits.

In my view the solution is simple. If you are ever in charge of a newborn boy’s destiny, spare him the whole of what one will one day become one of his most prized possessions.

If you feel as strongly about this as I do, please sign these two petitions - CDC Petition,AAP Petition.