GOP doctors criticize CDC guidance on ‘chestfeeding’ infants, demand scientific evidence.

Controversial CDC‍ Guidance on ​Transgender⁤ Breastfeeding Questioned by GOP Doctors

The ⁤U.S. Centers for​ Disease Control⁤ (CDC)⁢ is facing scrutiny from GOP⁢ doctors⁣ in the ⁢Senate over its‍ contentious guidance regarding transgender‍ individuals and breastfeeding. The CDC’s ‌guidance suggests that transgender people‌ can breastfeed children ⁤and even ‍recommends ⁣medication for ‌lactation.

According to⁣ the ‍CDC, ⁢transgender and non-binary⁤ individuals “may give birth and breastfeed⁢ or⁣ feed ‍at‌ the ⁣chest⁢ (chestfeed).” The agency has also published ‍information stating that‍ transgender individuals⁤ can ‌take medication‌ to induce lactation in ​order to breastfeed​ infants. On July 13, Senators Roger‌ Marshall ⁣(R-Kans.) and Bill ⁤Cassidy⁤ (R-La.) expressed their ⁢concerns in a letter, criticizing⁢ the‍ CDC’s “chestfeeding” ‍guidance.

“I am writing ‍to you⁤ with ‌serious concern about the⁢ Centers ‌for Disease Control and⁢ Prevention’s‌ (CDC) guidance⁢ for‍ biological⁤ men who identify ⁤as women‌ (transgender individuals) ​who wish to⁤ breastfeed,” said the senators, both of whom‍ hold a doctor of ⁣medicine (M.D.)⁤ certification.

The ‌letter, addressed to CDC director ⁣Mandy ​Cohen, highlights that ⁣the U.S. ⁤Food⁤ and Drug Administration ‍(FDA) has not‌ approved any ⁢medication to⁢ increase breast milk supply. The two‍ drugs ‍commonly ⁢used for this‍ purpose, ‌metoclopramide and domperidone, come with significant risks‍ and side ‍effects.

Metoclopramide and domperidone are actually intended for ⁢other health ⁢conditions‍ and are used⁢ off-label to boost ​milk supply. However,‌ the⁣ FDA has ‌warned⁣ about serious risks associated with‍ using metoclopramide, ⁣as it‍ can pass⁣ into breast ​milk and harm the‍ baby. Similarly, the ‌FDA has explicitly⁣ warned against using domperidone ‌for raising milk ⁤supply due ⁤to safety concerns since 2004.

In ⁢addition to potentially⁣ harming the‍ baby, these​ drugs⁣ also ​have side ⁢effects ⁢that can be harmful to​ the‍ person consuming them. The ‌senators⁢ find it shocking that ⁤the CDC would recommend the use ‍of⁢ an⁢ unapproved drug without providing ‍any ‍context about its ​dangers.

The ‍letter requests the​ CDC director to provide a scientific ⁣basis ‍for its guidance on chestfeeding‌ and lactation⁤ drug intake. ‌This ‌includes⁤ submitting peer-reviewed studies ​on transgender‍ individuals breastfeeding, ⁢data​ comparing‌ the nutritional benefits of ⁣breast milk from ⁣biological women versus transgender⁣ individuals,‍ and data evaluating the long-term health ⁣risks for infants⁣ breastfed by transgender ⁢individuals who ‍have undergone hormonal therapy for gender transition.

It is crucial for the‌ CDC‍ to provide⁢ evidence-based ​guidance and not ⁢recommend⁣ drugs that ‍are not approved in the U.S., especially ​when ‍it contradicts the ​FDA’s ​role in⁣ reviewing ​the⁢ safety and effectiveness of‍ drugs.