Minerva
BMJ 2003; 326 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.326.7396.992 (Published 03 May 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;326:992
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EDITOR--Minerva’s report of the failure of a self-circumcision operation conducted by a young adult is an example of the problems produced by the failure to regulate medical devices sold for the purposes of circumcision.1
It is not surprising that the device in question came from Korea, because Korea, under the influence of the American military presence after World War II, irrationally adopted male circumcision into its culture.23
The young man’s decision to carry out a circumcision on himself, for which there apparently was no medical indication, is an example of the bizarre thinking that frequently surrounds the practice of male circumcision.
Very truly yours,
George Hill
Executive Secretary
Doctors Opposing Circumcision
Suite 42, 2442 NW Market Street
Seattle, Washington 98107
USA
Web: http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/References:
- Hill G. "Grandfathered" circumcision devices should be tested for safety and efficacy. BMJ 2002; Rapid Responses, 18 October.
- Kim DS, Lee JY, Pang MG. Male circumcision: a South Korean perspective. BJU Int 1999;83, Suppl 1:28-33.
- Pang MG, Kim DS. Extraordinarily high rates of male circumcision in South Korea: history and underlying causes. BJU Int 2002;89:48-54.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Thought police
The unfortunate gentleman whose mutilated penis was pictured in Minerva on the 3rd May must have a genius for finding things.
Few people would have even heard of a device for self-circumcision. Not only did he find one, he found a "Casualty" in the UK.
The BMJ agreed some time ago to banish the use of the "C-Word".........
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests