There is a petition going around in the San Fransisco which would make it a misdemeanor (a crime with possible jail time) to circumcise a male under the age of 18. Of course, it is just a petition. Even if enough people sign the petition, it would still need to be voted on. Even so, just goes to show that San Francisco is on the 'bleeding edge' of government regulation. Just recently, they banned Happy Meals (that is, toys included in meal packages to entice children to purchase insufficiently healthy foods - like Joe Camel on cigarette cartons).
But the question remains concerning circumcision - is it a good idea? I'd presume to know what the Jewish community's reaction to this is. What are the health concerns?
The National Institute of Health seems to think it is a good idea because it tends to limit the transmission of AIDS (reducing chances of transmission by up to 65%!). This is especially interesting to people who worry about AIDS in Africa. The circumcision campaigns in that continent are even developing new tools to help in this delicate procedure.
There are also dissenters. (See here for longer paper on the issue.)
Regardless of the health question, in the end, who decides if circumcision is right for the child? Are we wanting the government to make such determinations?
65%!!! Holy smokes!!! Who knew???
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