High Court Clears Path for Puberty Blockers Trial in UK
Puberty blockers trial can start recruiting children
The High Court has rejected a legal challenge, allowing the Pathways trial by King's College London to begin recruiting children aged 11 to 16. This study aims to assess the benefits and risks of puberty blockers following a government ban on routine use. While researchers emphasize strict safety protocols and thorough assessments, campaigners remain concerned about the ethical implications and long-term effects on young people.
The medical profession and morality do not always walk hand-in-hand. If they did, this trial would be out of the question.
- sail2boat3
As someone who has gone through a phase of questioning my ... inner state of the matter on this topic, now in retrospect, I am so so so so soooooo glad that such options were not readily available to me. If I was that age in the current world, I simply would've done it.
Given the permanent nature of a transition on a body, I really wish the advocates of pushing this at young ages would not push back against discussions of people who decide to detransition. Such stories break my heart way more than someone being unable to transition before a certain age.
- MSFT_Edging
This thread will likely have extensive hate on a very small portion of the population.
A reminder that actual people have been turned into a cultural wedge issue, their lives put in danger due to the vitriol the culture war issue has stirred.
If you have known a person who has transitioned, you'd likely see someone happier after being able to transition.
Laws targeting trans people won't stop an actual criminal from entering the wrong bathroom.
Children and teens can absolutely know these things about themselves. Imagine telling a child who has a hetero crush on a classmate that they're too young to know they're straight. Children are little people. It won't be the correct choice for every child, but for every child it is the correct choice for, it will lead to a happier life and a more effective transition.
last but not least, you didn't care about competitive women's swimming before, you're not fooling me that you care about it now.
- pseudalopex
> A high-profile clinical trial of drugs that can delay puberty in children questioning their gender can go ahead after the High Court rejected a legal challenge by campaigners.
The trial protocol said diagnosed with gender incongruence. And explained this.[1] Not questioning their gender.
[1] https://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/assets/pathways/trial/pathways-t...
- a_shovel
The pattern I've observed repeated around issues of transgender health care is "ordinary levels of scientific uncertainty used to argue for the most extreme possible restrictions." Puberty blockers have long been used to treat precocious puberty, the main problems of which are social difficulty from going through puberty earlier than one's peers and a shorter adult height.
The opponents of transgender healthcare have used the minor uncertainty of prescribing this medication to a group a few years older to argue not for tighter safeguards, but for a legal ban on prescribing it for that purpose. Not letting doctors evaluate the potential risks and benefits for their patients is one thing, but not even wanting a medical trial to begin to gather more data is outrageous. There is absolutely no concern from these same groups about any risk of the medication to cisgender children, which casts doubt that the concerns are raised in good faith.
- konsalexee
> Campaigners who brought the legal action had argued the safeguards in place were inadequate and raised concerns about the long-term physical and psychological effects on young people.
What exactly are the safeguards for real? It’s literally irreversible damage when you mess up with hormones while on puberty.
I am conflicted myself, but I think I err on the side of caution and think that avoiding messing with your hormones should be no brainer.