But evidence is sketchy, he said. State lawmakers considered including boys in the 1995 bill. But we couldn't get enough votes. About 60 percent of baby boys are circumcised nationwide, including between 80 and 90 percent of North Dakota boys, said plaintiff Jody McLaughlin, of Minot. It's a traditional procedure that has little medical basis and is shunned by other Western countries, she said.
Circumcision involves the removal of the foreskin at the end of the penis.
Baer said taking away the foreskin and its nerve endings decreases a male's potential for sexual pleasure. The lawsuit could have national and international importance, Baer said. The lawsuit also could have religious implications. Many Jewish and Islamic people consider circumcision a religious practice. But the court would likely grant exemptions for Jews and Muslims if routine circumcision ever were outlawed, he added.