Ignorance and greed combined to make circumcision a routine medical practice for the better part of this century. During the 1960s and 1970s, circumcision rates peaked in Western countries. Medical studies at the time, now shown to be seriously flawed, pointed to it as a way to prevent illnesses like cancer and urinary tract infections. In Canada, circumcisions were covered by provincial health insurance until the 80s, explains John Antonopoulos, president of Montreals Circumcision Information Resource Centre. Now, the United States is the only country in the world that still routinely circumcises male infants for non-religious reasons. Nearly 90 per cent of American males are circumcised, even though new evidence reveals the practice to be unnecessary and harmful. Doctors, ethicists and activists worldwide have deemed it inappropriate, unethical, traumatic and invasive. Tim Hammond, a leading opponent of circumcision and founder of NOHARMM, the U.S. National Organization to Halt the Abuse and Routine Mutilation of Males, believes that circumcision in the U.S. is perpetuated by arrogance and the radical American health environment. Circumcised males make up the power structure, and theyre defensive about their penises, says Hammond. Theyre not interested in knowing about the harm done to their penises. That would require them to admit to being wrong. The physical, sexual and psychological harm caused by circumcision begins from the moment a baby is strapped into the Circumstraint, a board designed especially for the surgery. Usually performed without anaesthetic, the operation is excruciating for the baby. Research published in medical journals like The Lancet shows that circumcision causes overwhelming pain, traumatic shock and behavioral changes. It also alters babies sleep patterns, feeding habits and activity levels, and disturbs the mother-infant bond. What is disturbing is that circumcision affects the individual for a lifetime, says Dr. Ronald Goldman, author of Circumcision: The Hidden Trauma and founder of Bostons Circumcision Resource Center. The foreskin is essential to healthy functioning of the penis, protecting it and facilitating intercourse. On the average adult male, the foreskin is 12 square inches of extremely erogenous tissue with unique zones of specialized nerves. That makes it extremely valuable for optimal sexual feeling. Goldman adds that the circumcised penis loses sensitivity over time, possibly causing impotence. When the penis is in constant contact with clothing and other environments, it becomes callused. The loss of sexual sensation may be part of the reason so many American men in their 40s (40 per cent of them) have experiences of impotence. U.S. impotence rates for all ages are well above those in other countries. In Canada, only 25 per cent of the male population has been circumcised, less than 2 per cent for religious reasons. In Europe, less than 10 per cent are circumcised. I dont understand this thing about circumcision, says Marco Prella, an Italian engineer working in Montreal. In Europe, we cant even imagine doing this. There is no reason for it, so why do they do it? It makes no sense. In 1996, the Canadian Paediatric Societys position statement declared: The Committee does not support recommending circumcision as a routine procedure for newborns. Without therapeutic value, the surgery now cost parents $100 - $400 and it cannot be performed without written consent from at least one of them. Margaret Somerville, Founder of McGills Centre for Medicine, Ethics and Law and an outspoken critic of circumcision in recent years, calls upon doctors and parents to categorically stop performing circumcisions. Since it is clearly not a health benefit, circumcision would be considered a non-therapeutic intervention, says Somerville. Ethically and legally, parental consent is irrelevant in such a situation. Circumcision removes sexually functioning tissue and causes substantial pain. That makes it a very serious intervention  definitely not one to be consented to by anyone but the individual. Peoples attitudes about circumcision depend on their sexual experience and knowledge of the issue. While many women have been socialized to believe that uncircumcised males are less clean, ideas are changing. I cant believe some guys think its cleaner to be circumcised, says Anne, a 22-year-old student. Im the one with my face in their crotch and I dont notice a difference. Who had the stupid idea that washing under the foreskin is a chore? I brush my teeth every day. I also wash my labia. Big deal. A Montreal woman who gave birth to her first child, a son, three months ago, said she was disturbed when she started to find out about circumcision. The idea of cutting off a piece of my newborn babys body off is violent and weird, she said. Hes so perfect and fine the way he is. Anybody who cuts a boys genitals knows it isnt quite right, argues Antonopoulos. In my work, I talk to people every day about it. The more they know about it, the more upset they become. In 15 to 20 years this practice will be obsolete and viewed very badly. It may even be a precarious legal issue. TRUDY GOLDENBERG