QUEENSLAND LAW REFORM COMMISSION

CIRCUMCISION OF MALE INFANTS

RESEARCH PAPER



TABLE OF CONTENTS

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