We spoke to a Jewish Mohel (a doctor of circumcision) in the UK about these issues, who is qualified medically. While they wish to remain anonymous they have said,..
Furthermore they told Metro about the issue of circumcision of a baby boy without anaesthetic.
‘Orthodox Jews usually don’t like to use anaesthetic in general because it is not the ‘traditional’ method.
General anaesthetic comes with a risk of complications, doctors need a pretty urgent reason to put an eight-day-old baby to sleep!
‘For local anaesthesia, again there are different types and some Mohels are happy to employ these methods.
‘One option is an injection of a numbing agent into the nerves.
‘In theory this should numb the organ and therefore cause less pain to the child however several injections would be needed and as the anatomy is so small, it may not be precise enough to stop pain.
‘Numbing creams can be used but their use is not widespread.’
David Smith, Chief Officer of 15 Square Charity which supports men around the world who have been affected adversely by male circumcision, spoke to Metro saying,
‘We deal with numerous cases of harm each week.
‘There are many physical issues that can arise after circumcision.
‘Because this procedure is often performed in infancy, often without anaesthetic, many men also suffer mental health symptoms such as PTSD in later life.
‘Our organisation is currently training counsellors and psychotherapists to deal with this issue.’
Richard Duncker from Men Do Complain agrees with this saying,
‘The proposed ban addresses the anomaly of having a gender-specific law for genital cutting. The ban gets rid of that anomaly in Iceland.
Circumcising a male baby’s genitals is not enforced by the UK authorities as an assault or wounding as it should be, due to religious freedom.’
