Does Circumcision Increase Autism Risk? Experts Are Divided

Autism diagnoses have dramatically increased in the past years, triggering researchers to try harder in finding for answers. A Danish scientist's study has found that circumcision could possibly increase autism risk. This has ignited debates among experts who are divided on the rationality of the findings.

According to Time, more than 50 percent of boys in the U.S. are circumcised at birth as it has been considered as a procedure that could lessen the risks of sexual disease transmission and penile cancer.  Over the years, circumcision at birth has also been criticized by activists who claimed that it violates human rights and decreases sexual pleasure.

Circumcision Could Increase Autism Risk

Recently, anti-circumcision activists have found another reason to question circumcision. A study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine has found that circumcision could potentially increase autism risk.

Dr. Morten Frisch, a Danish epidemiologist, and his team assessed the link between circumcision and autism, and found that boys who are circumcised at birth have more chances of being diagnosed with autism by the age of 9. "Considering the widespread practice of non-therapeutic circumcision in infancy and childhood around the world, confirmatory studies should be given priority," the study suggested.

Frisch's study was backed by several studies that found that any pain at an early stage in life may affect brain development. The study has also prompted the American Academy of Pediatrics to release a statement advising health facilities for newborns to use strategies that would lessen the number of painful procedures performed.

Experts Are Divided On Frisch's Study

Not all experts are convinced with Frisch's study that suggests circumcision could increase autism risk. Brian Morris, professor emeritus of the University of Sydney, is among the experts who are very vocal that there are some loopholes with Frisch's study.

"The problem with Frisch's fundamental premise is that circumcision causes pain in infants and boys," Morris pointed out. He said that in many circumcisions, babies do not cry during the procedure and may even fall asleep. He also cited statistics in Australia that show circumcision rates dropped since the 1960s while autism diagnoses continue to rise.

Are you convinced that circumcision may increase autism risk? Leave some comments below.