Do No Harm

In Psalm 147:3, the role of God as a healer is described with great tenderness.  It says: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds,”— mirroring the healing sought from earthly physicians.

Every physician takes The Hippocratic Oath saying, “first, do no harm.”  Although there are caveats to this oath, the principle behind it is to do what is in the best interest of the patient and to do all that is possible to preserve their good health.

Any reasonable person would tell you that prescribing a treatment regimen with unknown consequences and failing to perform due diligence before causing potential lifetime damage to someone’s body are both violations of the principle “do no harm.”  Especially if this is done to someone who is underage.  Unfortunately, that is exactly what is happening with puberty-blocking drugs that have been prescribed to underage children who are diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

Even the pro-LGBTQ website for the Canadian Provincial Health Services Authority admits “We are not sure if puberty blockers have negative side effects on bone development and height [in adolescents].“  What makes this more egregious are cases in the United Kingdom like that of Keira Bell who was prescribed hormone blockers at age 16.  She is now embroiled in a lawsuit against that clinic because of their failure to give her proper counsel or care.  In her words: “I don't believe children and young people can consent to the use of powerful, experimental hormone drugs like I did.”

In response to this trend among gender-reassignment clinics, at least six states (Colorado, South Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Florida and Missouri) have considered legislation to restrict the performance of gender reassignment treatments on underage patients.  Yet, Minnesota is voting on a Trans Sanctuary Bill that legalizes genital mutilation and hormone treatments for minors.

No matter what side of the aisle someone finds themselves, surely the idea of protecting underage patients from potentially irreversible harm is a valid consideration that ought to be given great weight.  This effort to protect children ought to be applauded and encouraged.

In Matthew 18:6 the Great Physician Himself gave a severe warning to anyone who would lead children the wrong way: “…whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel