Author: Dr Antony Lempert

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Religion should not be a roadblock to child safeguarding in healthcare

A new paper highlights barriers to reforming guidance on non-therapeutic circumcision. The author, Dr Antony Lempert, explains why religion is one of the biggest barriers of all. Read More »

Recent studies agree: the risks of circumcision outweigh any benefits. It’s time to rethink our permissive approach to genital cutting.

Recent studies agree: the risks of circumcision outweigh any benefits. It’s time to rethink our permissive approach to genital cutting.

Dr Antony Lempert says the findings of two recent medical papers critical of infant circumcision should prompt us... Read More »

Blood transfusion

The state mustn’t allow children to die for their stated religious beliefs

The High Court is considering whether to allow a girl from a Jehovah's Witness community to refuse blood transfusions.... Read More »

Assisted dying

The BMA’s opportunity to rethink its position on assisted dying

The British Medical Association's opposition to assisted dying is at odds with its members' views. There's now a chance... Read More »

Hospital bed

Religious campaigners shouldn't be able to veto the refusal of treatment

Christian campaigners have questioned a ruling that allowed a severely ill man to die. Dr Antony Lempert says they're... Read More »

Worried woman

Northern Ireland’s new abortion guidelines are welcome but should have gone further

As the government publishes a framework for the extension of abortion rights in NI, Dr Antony Lempert welcomes politicians'... Read More »

Can chaplaincy ever be fit for the 21st century?

Can chaplaincy ever be fit for the 21st century?

A report highlighting the institutional bias towards Christianity in NHS chaplaincy services should prompt us to ask... Read More »

Glove and scissors

The medical profession should protect all children from unnecessary genital cutting

Doctors in Britain should follow the lead of those who have declared ritual male circumcision a breach of medical... Read More »

Doctor and patient

Doctors who favour legalisation of assisted dying deserve a hearing

As more doctors' groups consult their members on assisted dying and parliament debates the issue, Dr Antony Lempert... Read More »

Medical scissors

The BMA’s genital cutting guidance is a disturbing departure from evidence-based, patient-centred policy making

The body which represents doctors has missed the opportunity to take a stand against medically unnecessary child circumcision... Read More »

Hospital A&E

The NHS’s pastoral support shouldn’t be based on religiosity

Moves to introduce humanist chaplaincy services in some NHS hospitals paper over the cracks in a discriminatory service,... Read More »

Genital cutting and the laws of unintended consequences

Genital cutting and the laws of unintended consequences

This week's developments on ritual genital cutting in the US and Denmark highlight the need to adopt a consistent... Read More »

How cutting cultures deny dissenters their voice and identity

How cutting cultures deny dissenters their voice and identity

As Icelandic lawmakers consider whether to ban cutting infants' genitals for non-medical reasons, Dr Antony Lempert... Read More »

Abortion ruling is a missed opportunity to recognise the disparity in women’s reproductive health rights across the UK

Ensuring that NHS abortion services are made available, free of charge, to UK citizens travelling from Northern Ireland... Read More »

A judge’s decision to separate a transgender parent from her Jewish Orthodox children was deeply misguided

The decision to separate a transgender parent from her children gets to the heart of why faith-based harm is perpetuated... Read More »

Forced cutting of young boys’ genitals violates the most fundamental medical ethics

Too often those who carry out forced cutting of young boys' genitals escape with gentle admonishment, rather than... Read More »

Channel 4’s Dispatches reveals intimidating tactics of US-inspired anti-abortion campaigners

Dr Antony Lempert of the Secular Medical Forum reacts to Channel 4 Dispatches' programme that showed the shock tactics... Read More »

Ritual circumcision: religious rights of parents are at odds with the best interests of the child

By Dr Antony Lempert, Secular Medical Forum

On 26th June a district court in Cologne made a landmark ruling that parents... Read More »