In Psalm 147:3, the role of God as a healer is described with great tenderness. It says: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds,” mirroring the healing sought from earthly physicians.
This principle of healing is found beyond the Bible in secular cultures. For example, the ancient Hippocratic Oath has long been associated with medicine. If you are unfamiliar, the first principle of this oath is primum non nocere “first, do no harm.” [1] Although there are caveats to this oath, the principle behind it is to do what is in the best interest of the patient and to do all that is possible to preserve their good health. Although there is far more nuance to the medical profession than that, the underlying philosophy remains unchanged.
Any reasonable person would tell you that prescribing a treatment regimen with unknown consequences and failing to perform due diligence before causing potential lifetime damage to someone’s body are both violations of the principle “do no harm.” Especially if this is done to someone who is underage. Unfortunately, that is exactly what has happened with puberty-blocking drugs that have been prescribed to underage children who are diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
Even the pro-LGBTQ website for the Canadian Provincial Health Services Authority admits “We are not sure if puberty blockers have negative side effects on bone development and height [in adolescents].“ [2] What makes this more egregious are cases in the United Kingdom like that of Keira Bell who was prescribed hormone blockers at age 16 after three, one-hour sessions with a gender-dysphoria clinic. She is now embroiled in a lawsuit against that clinic because of their failure to give her proper counsel or care. In her words: “I don't believe children and young people can consent to the use of powerful, experimental hormone drugs like I did. Hormone-changing drugs and surgery do not work for everyone, and it certainly should not be offered to someone under 18.'” [3]
In response to this trend among gender-reassignment clinics, six states (Colorado, South Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Florida and Missouri) in American have proposed legislation to restrict the performance of gender reassignment treatments on underage patients. [4] All of the bills have nearly identical language. The bill from Colorado states that a health care professional commits a crime “if the person knowingly administers, dispenses, or prescribes a drug or hormone or orders or performs a sex reassignment surgical procedure for the purpose of facilitating sex reassignment of a minor.” Unfortunately this bill in the Colorado legislature was killed in the first committee to which it was assigned. [5]
Part of the problem with the clinic being sued in the United Kingdom is the fact that they were performing radical treatments on children as young as 12 years of age. No matter what side of the aisle someone finds themselves, surely the idea of protecting underage patients from potentially irreversible harm is a valid consideration that ought to be given great weight. This effort to protect children ought to be applauded and encouraged.
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[1] William Shiel, “Medical Definition of Primum non nocere,” MedicineNet (n.d.), https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=6110
[2] “Puberty Blockers for Youth,” Provincial Health Services Authority (n.d.), http://www.phsa.ca/transcarebc/child-youth/affirmation-transition/medical-affirmation-transition/puberty-blockers-for-youth
[3] Sue Reid, “Why did the NHS let me change sex? Star witness in court battle against clinic that fast-tracked her gender swap aged 16 reveals what happened when she made a cry for help,” DailyMail (January 24, 2020), https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7926675/Witness-court-battle-against-gender-clinic-reveals-happened-cry-help.html
[4] Scottie Andrew, “This year, at least six states are trying to restrict transgender kids from getting gender reassignment treatments,” CNN (January 22, 2020), https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/22/politics/transgender-healthcare-laws-minors-trnd/index.html
[5] “HB20-1114 Protect Minors From Mutilation And Sterilization,” Colorado General Assembly (2020), https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb20-1114
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