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Obstetricians and gynecologists perform half of the circumcisions in the United States. Technically, they are trained only to deal with female anatomy, yet they have published a male circumcision brochure that explains the so-called "benefits" of the male genital surgery they are willing to perform for $350 or more each. Seven out of eight
OBs in the Northeastern states perform circumcisions. Activists will be demonstrating outside the ACOG convention to remind obstetricians they took an oath to "First, do no harm". By performing unnecessary circumcisions, obstetricians are violating their oath, risking litigation, and putting their patients at short-term and long-term risk, plus the disadvantages of being circumcised.
"We are focusing on the rights of every child to an intact body," ICGI director Dan Bollinger says.
ICGI is joined with Stop Infant Circumcision Society (SIC Society), and the National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers (NOCIRC) in a week of activities (May 1-7) with marches, demonstrations, and an education fair.
Demonstrations will be at 12th and Arch Streets.
A Federal law protecting girls from genital cutting was passed in 1996 and activists are asking for equal protection for boys and intersex children.
CONTACT INFO:
International Coalition for Genital Integrity
Dan Bollinger
1970 North River Road
West Lafayette, IN 47906
protectbabies@icgi.org
http://www.icgi.org
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