WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and Office of Population Affairs, has released a detailed review assessing medical interventions for children and adolescents with gender dysphoria. The report raises serious ethical and scientific concerns regarding procedures such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries intended to transition youth away from their biological sex.
The review, conducted with an evidence-based approach, found significant risks associated with these interventions, including irreversible effects such as infertility. Importantly, the findings highlight a lack of strong scientific support for their benefits, a conclusion echoed by similar systematic reviews globally.
“Our duty is to protect our nation’s children—not expose them to unproven and irreversible medical interventions,” said NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. “We must follow the gold standard of science, not activist agendas.”
Beyond the medical risks, the review addresses the ethical dimensions of pediatric gender transition, emphasizing that medical ethics should remain central to clinical decisions. Contributors to the report include medical doctors, ethicists, and a methodologist, all selected for their adherence to scientific principles and wide-ranging viewpoints.
The chapters of this comprehensive review were subject to peer review prior to publication, and a broader post-publication review will involve stakeholders with diverse perspectives. The identities of the contributors are currently withheld to ensure the integrity of the process.
The findings underscore the need for caution and further study in the face of increasing calls to promote these interventions. By prioritizing children’s health and ethical considerations, the review aims to guide evidence-based decision-making and protect youth from unproven medical practices.
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