A senior fellow at The Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy and Do No Harm, Dr. Roy Eappen is a practicing oncologist in Montreal. John Mahoney / Postmedia Network photo
Roy Eappen, a doctor
Research and common sense however rule, at least in Alberta.
Then that Premier Danielle Smith has outlawed trans practices for minors, that is the truth. In Alberta, children under the age of 16 will no longer be eligible for cross-sex estrogen or puberty blockers, and those 18 and older will be the only ones who can undergo gender reassignment surgery.
I couldn’t be more in favor of Alberta’s decision to protect children as a practicing endocrinologist who is aware of the harm that these intrusive and irreversible medical interventions can cause to young people. There is a ton of evidence that they harm children, but not nearly enough to support their application on them.
Unsurprisingly, some members of Canada’s “chattering classes,” including journalists, academics, and a few politicians, have swiftly attacked this decision because they are either unaware of or unconcerned with the physical challenges of children.
To that end, there has been a deluge of media coverage claiming that Alberta is abandoning treatments and endangering kids. That is untrue. Sex-reassignment treatments can harm both the body and the mind severely, necessitating lifelong health plans that would otherwise be avoided.
In addition, Canadians would do well to enhance their perspectives if they blindly advocate for medical interventions for children and adolescent bodies. They might be shocked to learn that the very precaution they oppose is being urged by the international institutions and European nations they frequently look to for leadership.
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Think about the World Health Organization (WHO). On the grounds that “the evidence base… is limited and varying regarding the longer-term outcomes,” the WHO declined to issue guidelines for transgender procedures for children last month. The terms “limited” and “variable” have important and ominous connotations. The first, “limited,” indicates that it’s not entirely clear whether “gender-affirming” health interventions are beneficial. The next, “variable,” alludes to the evidence that kids who receive these treatments experience harm. That’s quite a statement coming from the World Health Organization.
Or think about Europe. Based on thorough assessments of the science, a growing number of nations have already outlawed or heavily restricted minors’ access to transgender interventions. While Belgium, France, Ireland, and Italy have expressed concern, this also applies to England, Sweden, Finland, Norway, as well as other countries. We’re referring to nations that, philosophically speaking, are usually on par with Canada. They are examining the evidence and spotting warning signs. What’s wrong with Alberta acting in the same manner?
Canadians who mistakenly believe that sex reassignment is a continuation of prior support for gay civil rights should be aware that this is not the case. Instead, “gender-affirming” childcare is basically queer conversion therapy.
According to numerous studies, almost two-thirds of boys in a 2021 investigation who are confused or upset about their sex eventually come to the realization that they are gay. However, if they take a trans route, they will become unaware of their true selves.
Professionals at England’s primary trans company referred to prescribing puberty blockers as “transing the gay away” before the nation began to take child well-being seriously. Additionally, they made the joke that if they kept assisting children with medical transition, “there would be no gay people left.” Is that really what Canadians want for the gay and lesbian children of our nation?
In reality, 80% of kids who think they’re trans finally come to terms with their sex without the use of surgery or drugs. The worst thing we could do is push them down the path of irreversible medical interventions in order to keep them from learning who they really are.
Alberta has joined Saskatchewan and New Brunswick in acting morally. Canada as a whole may now do the same.
I can vouch that protecting children is the compassionate, caring, and academic choice as a doctor who deals with this challenging issue.
The Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy and the advocacy organization Do No Harm employ Dr. Roy Eappen, a practicing oncologist in Montreal.
