Dr. Rachel Seay performs a circumcision at George Washington University Hospital.
Alexandra Garcia/Getty Images
Dr. Rachel Seay performs a circumcision at George Washington University Hospital.
Over a century ago, circumcision was promoted as a way to discourage masturbation, and it was thought of as clean and hygienic. This week, the American Academy of Pediatrics announced updated circumcision guidelines which suggest that its health benefits outweigh the risks. U.S. circumcision rates for newborn boys have fallen to about 55 percent from a high of close to 80 percent in the '70s.
Host: Michael Krasny
Guests:
Dean Edell, radio host, ophthalmologist and surgeon
Doug Diekema, member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Circumcision Task Force, physician, director of education for the Center for Pediatric Bioethics at Seattle Children's Hospital and professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine
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