Transgender medical org’s leaked files reveal ‘medical malpractice
Internal Files Reveal Unethical Practices in Transgender Health Association
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), an organization that claims to develop “standards” for transgender treatment, has been exposed for engaging in questionable and experimental procedures, contradicting their public image as evidence-based and scientific.
Environmental Progress, a research group, analyzed hundreds of pages of internal posts and videos obtained by journalist Michael Shellenberger, the founder of the organization. Their findings revealed that WPATH is not a legitimate scientific group, but rather an unethical activist organization that provides cover for doctors who want to avoid legal consequences.
“Standard of care” is a legal term, not a medical term, and represents ”the benchmark that determines whether professional obligations to patients have been met.” Failure to meet the standard of care is medical negligence, which can result in significant consequences for healthcare providers.
The report by Environmental Progress also highlighted the harmful effects of low-barrier gender transitioning on vulnerable youth, labeling it as “medical malpractice” that violates the Hippocratic Oath. Despite internal discussions showing WPATH members experimenting on young people, the organization publicly denies that their procedures are experimental, allowing them to be covered by insurance and widely deployed.
Environmental Progress called for reputable medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Psychiatric Association (APA), and the American Medical Association (AMA) to disassociate from WPATH and adopt ethical, evidence-based medicine instead.
Questionable Practices and Lack of Informed Consent
In the past, medical providers attempted to address concerns of transgender individuals not convincingly “passing” as their desired gender by encouraging them to transition before puberty. However, Dianne Berg, a child psychologist and co-author of WPATH’s Standards of Care, admitted that many young people did not fully understand the consequences of their decisions.
“They’ll say they understand, but then they’ll say something else that makes you think, oh, they didn’t really understand that they are going to have facial hair,” Berg said.
The report also highlighted the long-term consequences of gender surgery, including infertility. Dr. Daniel Metzger, a Canadian endocrinologist, acknowledged that many patients he explained the procedures to had not even studied biology in high school. He shared instances where patients expressed disgust at the idea of having children, only to regret it later.
Furthermore, WPATH has reduced the requirement for psychological evaluation before surgery, potentially enabling practitioners to rubber-stamp approval letters without proper assessment. The report cited a marriage and family therapist who admitted to approving gender surgery for every person who asked, including mentally ill individuals.
Unaddressed Risks and Cosmetic Focus
Transgender activists, according to Environmental Progress, prioritize cosmetic outcomes over the ultimate purpose of attractiveness for attracting mates. The report highlighted a paper on puberty blockers that mentioned height concerns 23 times but completely ignored topics like orgasm, libido, and sexuality.
WPATH’s overall approach was described as more activist than scientific or medical. Stephen B. Levine, who was in charge of the WPATH Standards of Care in the 1990s, resigned due to the organization’s shift towards politics and ideology rather than scientific processes.
Questionable Ethics and Lack of Transparency
Unlike objective medical groups, WPATH members were found to be willing to cut corners and work around rules. One member admitted to billing the Department of Veterans Affairs for transgender patient treatment under a different diagnosis. They also sought to lower barriers to gender surgery while downplaying the associated risks.
The internal message boards revealed that even doctors were uncertain about the full extent of a patient’s consent. WPATH members frequently sought advice on how to handle gender transitions, often receiving suggestions that were not based on solid evidence.
The revelations from the internal files call into question the credibility and ethics of WPATH. It is crucial for reputable medical organizations to distance themselves from WPATH and prioritize ethical and evidence-based approaches to transgender healthcare.
How can the medical community hold WPATH accountable for its unethical practices and promote evidence-based and ethical standards of care for transgender health
Et it later in life when they realized the permanent consequences of the surgeries.
Moreover, the report found evidence of WPATH members promoting and performing risky experimental procedures. Dr. Zelda Stern, a prominent member of WPATH, discussed in internal posts the practice of ”off-label” prescribing of hormones to transgender individuals, meaning prescribing drugs for uses not approved by regulatory authorities. This practice poses serious health risks as the long-term effects of these medications are often unknown.
The lack of proper informed consent is another concerning issue brought to light by the internal files. The report revealed that WPATH members pressured vulnerable individuals, including minors, into making hasty decisions about gender transitioning without fully disclosing the potential risks and consequences. This disregards the ethical principle of autonomy and the importance of informed consent in medical procedures.
Call for Accountability and Transparency
The findings of the Environmental Progress report demand immediate action and accountability from WPATH. The organization must be held responsible for engaging in unethical practices and promoting experimental procedures without full disclosure of their risks. Reputable medical associations such as the AAP, APA, and AMA must distance themselves from WPATH and endorse only evidence-based and ethical standards of care for transgender health.
In addition, governments and regulatory bodies should conduct thorough investigations into WPATH’s activities and evaluate the legality and ethics of their practices. Healthcare providers who are part of WPATH and violate the standard of care should face appropriate consequences, including legal action if necessary.
Transgender individuals and their families deserve transparency and honesty when making decisions about their health and well-being. It is crucial that medical professionals prioritize their duty to provide accurate information, ensure informed consent, and avoid harmful experimental procedures unless there is significant evidence of their safety and efficacy.
A Call for a New Approach
The revelations regarding WPATH’s unethical practices and lack of transparency highlight the need for a new approach towards transgender healthcare. Instead of relying on activist organizations, medical associations should collaborate with experts in transgender health to develop evidence-based standards of care.
Transgender healthcare should prioritize the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals, particularly vulnerable youth. It should involve comprehensive psychological assessments, thorough discussions of potential risks and benefits, and ongoing support throughout the transition process.
To ensure the highest level of care and protect the rights of transgender individuals, it is imperative that the medical community reevaluates its association with organizations like WPATH and adopts a more responsible and ethical approach to transgender health. Only through these measures can we guarantee that individuals seeking gender transition are receiving the care they need and deserve.
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