The Brendan O'Neill Show Helen Joyce: Another trans experiment on children
Nov 26, 2025
Helen Joyce, the Director of Advocacy at Sex Matters, dives deep into the controversial issues surrounding puberty blockers and their irreversible effects on children. She critiques flawed trial designs that sidestep ethical standards, revealing the ideological pressures that lead to such experimentation. Joyce emphasizes the troubling promise made to children—unachievable social outcomes—and highlights the significant risks of fertility loss and mental health issues. She discusses societal implications and warns against the persistence of trans ideology affecting women's and gay rights.
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Weak Evidence Behind Puberty Blocker Use
- The Cass report found almost no good evidence for puberty blockers in children and highlighted rising use despite poor data.
- The NHS trial is a small RCT of ~200 children with short follow-up and cannot answer long-term harms or fertility questions.
RCT Design Won't Reveal Long-Term Outcomes
- The RCT design randomises immediate versus delayed blockers for only up to two years, which cannot assess adult outcomes.
- Joyce argues the trial is ethically and statistically inadequate to settle long-term safety or regret rates.
Follow Existing Patients First
- Instead of a small RCT, Joyce advises following the ~2,000 children already treated to extract measurable outcomes now.
- She urges data linkage and standardized follow-up to assess bone density, IQ and fertility before exposing new children.