NYC Informed Consent Proposal To Controversial Circumcision Procedure Draws Opposition

The Forward reports today on the growing opposition in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community to a proposed rule (full text) published last month by the New York City Health Department that would require written informed consent by parents to a controversial ritual circumcision method.  The procedure, known as metzitzah b’peh, involves use of the mohel's mouth-- rather than the more commonly used sterile pipette-- to suction blood from the circumcision site. The practice can pass dangerous herpes infection to the child. The proposed regulation would require that parents sign a form to be developed by the Health Department whenever oral suction is to be used in a circumcision of a boy under one year of age. While signing of the consent form does not violate Jewish law, but ultra-Orthodox rabbinic leaders object to the health department's proposed form that describes the procedure as dangerous.  A Health Department vote on the proposal is scheduled for Sept. 13. (See prior related posting.)