QLRC: Circumcision of Male Infants

QUEENSLAND LAW REFORM COMMISSION

RESEARCH PAPER

1. INTRODUCTION............................................... 1
   (a) Terms of Reference..................................... 1
   (b) Consultation........................................... 2
   (c) The Need for Reform and The Commission Approach........ 2

2. THE HISTORY OF MALE CIRCUMCISION........................... 3
   (a) Origins................................................ 3
   (b) Western Cultures....................................... 7
   (c) Aboriginal and Island Culture.......................... 8
   (d) Current Practice.......................................10

3. THE PROCEDURE..............................................11
   (a) Jewish Ritual Circumcision.............................11
   (b) Non-Ritual Circumcision................................12

4. THE LEGALITY OF CIRCUMCISION...............................13

5. THE PREPUCE................................................17
   (a) Function of Prepuce....................................17
   (b) Removal of Prepuce.....................................17

6. HEALTH REASONS FOR REMOVAL OF PREPUCE......................18
   (a) Neonatal Circumcision..................................18
   (b) Non-neonatal Circumcision..............................19
       (i)   Phimosis.........................................20
       (ii)  Paraphimosis.....................................20
       (iii) Non-retractable prepuce..........................21
       (iv)  Recurrent balanitis..............................22
       (v)   Complications of previous, inadequate 
             neonatal circumcision............................22

7. PROPHYLACTIC REASONS FOR REMOVAL OF PREPUCE................22
   (a) Hygiene................................................22
   (b) Risk of Cancer.........................................23
   (c) Urinary Tract Infections...............................27
   (d) Sexually Transmitted Diseases..........................27
   (e) Psychological and Sociological.........................30

8. ARGUMENTS AGAINST ROUTINE REMOVAL OF PREPUCE...............30
   (a) The prepuce has a function.............................31
   (b) Pain...................................................32
   (c) Complications..........................................32
       * Death................................................32
       * Damage to shaft......................................33
       * Damage to urethra....................................34
       * Amputation...........................................35
       * Unsightly appearance.................................35
       * Urethral fistulas....................................35
       * Haemorrhage..........................................35
       * Incision line........................................35
       * Phimosis.............................................35
       * Infections of meatus.................................36
   (d) The Cost...............................................37

9. CONCLUSION.................................................38

10. POSSIBLE REFORMS..........................................40

APPENDIX 1: HEALTH INSURANCE COMMISSION STATISTICS: CIRCUMCISIONS - AUSTRALIA 1988 - 1993

APPENDIX 2: NUMBER OF CIRCUMCISIONS PERFORMED - QUEENSLAND PUBLIC HOSPITALS ON PUBLIC PATIENTS 1988-1991

APPENDIX 3: CIRCUMCISION AND HIV INFECTION

COMMISSIONERS

Chairman:                   The Hon Mr Justice G N Williams

Deputy Chair                Her Honor Judge H O'Sullivan

Members                     Ms R G Atkinson
                            Mr W G Briscoe
                            Mr W A Lee
                            Ms L Willmott

SECRETARIAT

Secretary:                  Ms S P Fleming

Principal Legal Officer:    Ms P Cooper

Project and Research        Ms J Daley
Consultants:                Ms M Westbrook

Administrative Officers:    Ms P McCarthy
                            Ms J Smith

Previous Queensland Law Reform Commission publications on this Reference: Consent by Young People to Medical Treatment, Information Paper, May 1993.

The Commission's premises are located on the 13th floor, 179 North Quay, Brisbane. The postal address is P. O. Box 312, Roma Street, Q 4003. Telephone (07) 227 4544. Facsimile (07) 227 9045.

Queensland Law Reform Commission
December 1993.

Cite as:

Circumcision of Male Infants Research Paper. Brisbane: Queensland Law Reform Commision, 1993.

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QLRC: Circumcision of Male Infants

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