Puberty Blockers Banned Indefinitely for UK Teens

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced on Wednesday that the country’s ban on puberty blockers for minors is to remain permanent. 

The Details: The Commission on Human Medicines, which consulted Streeting on his decision, determined puberty blockers for minors experiencing gender dysphoria are an "unacceptable safety risk." The country initially stopped prescribing puberty blockers to those under 18 in May.

Key Quote: "It is a scandal that medicine was given to vulnerable children without the proof that it was safe or effective," Streeting said.

For Context: The movement against puberty blockers began after a landmark review into gender identity services from one of the country’s leading pediatricians. The review concluded that gender transition services are based on “shakey foundations” leading to the temporary ban in May. Britain’s High Court later ruled the ban was lawful. 

How The Media Covered It: The New York Times (Lean Left bias) and BBC News (Center bias) mentioned that puberty blockers were previously considered routine medicine and reported that Streeting plans for the NHS to conduct a clinical trial into the use of puberty blockers. In covering the planned clinical trial, NYT included a quote from the Council of Europe mentioning ethical concerns as “for many young people the only way to receive treatment is to participate in the trial, therefore calling into question whether consent can be constituted as free and informed in these situations.” The Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) added that “34% of the children experienced a decline in mental health while taking puberty blockers.”