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The Canadian Paediatric Society’s position that the benefits of removing a baby’s foreskin do not outweigh the risks is based on “sloppy scholarship” and inflated harms, argue the authors of a new review recommending circumcision for all newborn boys.

They say the pediatric society’s stance should be revised so that it’s more in line with the American Academy of Pediatrics, whose latest policy concludes that the scientific research shows clearer health benefits to the procedure than had previously been believed, including a lower risk of acquiring HIV, genital herpes, the human papilloma virus (HPV) and syphilis.

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Although the Americans said the health benefits aren’t great enough to recommend routine circumcision, “the benefits are sufficient to justify access to this procedure for families choosing it” and that insurers should pay for it.

There’s a lot of hysterical nonsense by the anti-circumcision movement that is really like the anti-vaccination movement

“There’s a lot of hysterical nonsense by the anti-circumcision movement that is really like the anti-vaccination movement, and it’s appalling when a body like the Canadian Paediatric Society can fall for this nonsense,” said lead author Brian Morris, a professor emeritus in the University of Sydney’s school of medical sciences.