A Crusader Against Circumcision: Marilyn Milos

Posting Date: 03/01/1999

Ethically and medically, I?m against circumcision and I?ve said so for some 15 years now. Today?s program is dedicated to this subject. I spoke with a woman who is a longtime crusader on this issue, Marilyn Milos. She heads the The National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers (NOCIRC).

text continues below

Here?s the on-air discussion I had with Marilyn.

Dr. Dean: Marilyn, you?ve been fighting the battle against circumcision all your life. In fact, it was 15 or 16 years ago when you really got me going on the issue. Today, the American Academy of Pediatrics says it will no longer routinely recommend the circumcision of newborn male babies. How do you feel about this? Triumphant?

Marilyn: I was really excited initially because it shows the medical community is finally coming around to agreeing circumcision isn?t necessary. However, the rest of the reasoning in the policy statement is very weak.

Dr. Dean: I know what you mean. As I go down the list, I disagree with almost everything the pediatric statement says.

Marilyn: It?s terrible. And to think I initially sent them seven and a half pounds of material for starters and then more over the last couple years.

They came out strong on the scientific data base that shows no need for circumcision, which is something the rest of us have known for 20 years. But, they didn?t address trauma, pain relief or the psychological pain that a child endures.

Dr. Dean: Let me quote something. They say, "The practice of medicine has long respected an adult's right to self-determination." In reading this, I can?t help but wonder about how ethical it is to do this to little boys who have no choice.

Here?s another sentence: "Parents and physicians each have an ethical duty to the child to attempt to secure the child's best interest and well-being." Since they already said circumcision was unnecessary, what are they trying to say here. Who are they leaving this up to?