Economist Podcasts Trans formative: a landmark children’s-rights ruling
Dec 2, 2020
Rob Gifford, an Economist reporter focused on transgender youth issues, joins Jan Petrovsky, the publication's business editor, to discuss a landmark ruling by Britain’s High Court concerning puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria. They delve into the balance of children's rights and medical consent, spotlighting real stories like Kira Bell's. The conversation also touches on regulatory tensions faced by Chinese companies in U.S. markets and the cultural resurgence of disco polo in Poland, linking music to political dynamics.
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Kira Bell's Detransition
- Kira Bell, 23, received puberty blockers at 16, later undergoing a double mastectomy before detransitioning.
- She testified about the physical and emotional consequences, highlighting the lack of exploration of alternative mental health support.
Gillick Competence and Court Scrutiny
- The High Court ruling emphasizes the need for Gillick competence, meaning children must fully understand treatment implications.
- This makes it "highly unlikely" for those under 16 to receive puberty blockers without court orders, increasing scrutiny.
Tavistock Clinic's Approach Criticized
- The ruling criticizes the Tavistock Clinic's lack of data and the affirmative approach to accepting a child's self-diagnosis.
- The court highlighted the need for investigating other potential causes of dysphoria, like trauma or autism.