After six years of internal debate, we came to the conclusion that we did not require the hospital administration's permission to take an ethical stance. In October 1992, we declared ourselves conscientious objectors to circumcision and submitted a formal statement to the physicians, hospital administration, and staff, announcing our refusal to assist any further with the procedure. There are no compelling medical reasons for amputating the penile foreskin. Indeed, amputating the foreskin deprives the infant a protective and sexually functional part of his body. Circumcision is a surgical procedure with risks of complications, including bleeding, infection, and mutilation.
Neonatal circumcision is painful.
Often, inadequate or no anesthesia is used. Post-operative pain management is rare. Parental information on this subject is too often incomplete or based on myths. The infant is unable, at this vulnerable age, to state his own wishes or protect himself. Our conscientious-objector stance attracted media attention across the country.