Alaska Medical Board joins growing movement to protect children from predatory transgender procedures

• The Alaska State Medical Board has unanimously opposed hormonal and surgical treatments for gender dysphoria in minors, citing insufficient evidence of long-term benefits and the risk of irreversible harm.
• The board urges legislative action to limit such treatments, reflecting a broader trend in the U.S. where 27 states have enacted protections for minors.
• Despite the board’s stance, Alaska remains one of the few states without legislative protections, raising concerns about taxpayer-funded procedures and the lack of informed consent.
• The Arkansas Senate Bill 199 exemplifies a strong legislative approach, aiming to protect minors from irreversible medical interventions and hold healthcare professionals accountable.

A growing movement against irreversible interventions and child exploitation

In a bold move that follows a righteous, growing national trend, the Alaska State Medical Board has taken a stand against the use of hormonal and surgical interventions for gender dysphoria in minors. On March 21, the board informed the state legislature of its unanimous resolution, adopted at a March 20 meeting, opposing these treatments due to a lack of evidence for long-term benefits and the potential for irreversible harm. This decision comes at a time when states across the U.S. are grappling with the ethical, psychological, and medical implications of gender transition procedures for minors, with Arkansas leading the charge with its strong legislative approach.

The Alaska Medical Board’s decision reflects a broader shift in the medical community’s approach to gender dysphoria in minors. The board’s statement highlights the need for legislative limits on these gender destructive drug and surgery protocols, advocating instead for psychological support and counseling as safer alternatives. This position aligns with the findings of medical authorities in countries like Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom, which have recommended psychotherapy as the first line of treatment for youth gender dysphoria, with drugs and surgeries reserved as a last resort.

The board’s stance is particularly significant given that Alaska is one of the few states yet to enact legislative protections for minors against gender transition procedures. While 27 states have already taken steps to safeguard children from these irreversible interventions, Alaska’s Republican-controlled legislature has not yet acted, despite the board’s urging.

The role of state legislatures: the case of Arkansas

The Arkansas Senate Bill 199, known as the Protecting Minors from Medical Malpractice Act of 2023, provides a compelling example of how states can take a strong stance against the predatory practices of the transgender industry. The bill, which aims to protect minors from irreversible medical interventions, includes several key provisions:

Definitions and Scope: The bill defines “gender transition procedure” broadly, encompassing any medical or surgical service related to gender transition, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and gender reassignment surgery. It explicitly excludes services for individuals with medically verifiable disorders of sex development.

Right of Action: The bill grants minors, or their representatives, the right to bring a civil action against healthcare professionals who perform gender transition procedures, seeking declaratory or injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, and attorney’s fees and costs.

Safe Harbor Provisions: The bill provides a defense for healthcare professionals if they can demonstrate that they followed specific protocols, including documenting the minor’s perceived gender for two years, obtaining certifications from at least two healthcare professionals (including one mental health professional) that the procedure was necessary, and ensuring the minor and their parent or legal guardian provided voluntary and informed consent.

Informed Consent: The bill mandates that informed consent includes detailed information about the potential risks and lack of evidence for the effectiveness of these treatments, drawing on the experiences of European countries that have conducted systematic reviews of the evidence.

The ethical and psychological implications

The debate over gender transition procedures for minors is not just a medical or legal issue; it is also an ethical and psychological one. The Alaska Medical Board’s decision highlights the moral responsibility of healthcare providers to protect vulnerable minors from potentially harmful and irreversible interventions. The board’s emphasis on psychological support and counseling reflects a growing recognition of the complex psychological factors at play in gender dysphoria.

Moreover, the board’s call for legislative action raises important questions about the role of the state in protecting children from predatory practices. The lack of informed consent and the potential for long-term harm underscore the need for robust legal protections to ensure that minors are not subjected to procedures that could have devastating consequences.

As the Alaska State Medical Board joins the growing movement to protect children from gender transition procedures, the question remains: will other states follow suit? The example set by Arkansas, with its comprehensive legislative approach, provides a roadmap for other states to consider. The ethical, psychological, and medical implications of these procedures demand a careful and cautious approach, with the best interests of the child at the forefront.

In the words of Alaska Rep. Jubilee Underwood, “True care means providing compassionate psychological support – not irreversible interventions that compromise their future.” This sentiment echoes the growing consensus among medical professionals and lawmakers alike, highlighting the urgent need for legislative action to protect the most vulnerable among us.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

Arkleg.state.ar.us [PDF]

Gender.news