The final report of the Cass Review (pdf)was recently submitted to NHS in England. This report provides an evaluation of the current state of the science with respect to so-called transgender medical and psychological interventions while also making various recommendations for current treatment protocols and future research.
A few Key Findings of note:
– “While a considerable amount of research has been published in this field, systematic evidence reviews demonstrated the poor quality of the published studies, meaning there is not a reliable evidence base upon which to make clinical decisions, or for children and their families to make informed choices.”
– “The rationale for early puberty suppression remains unclear, with weak evidence regarding the impact on gender dysphoria, mental or psychosocial health. The effect on cognitive and psychosexual development remains unknown.”
– “Clinicians are unable to determine with any certainty which children and young people will go on to have an enduring trans identity.”
The bottom line is that, as we recently highlighted, there are no good data to support so-called transgender medicine, no matter what anyone claims. Indeed, the excruciating suffering experienced by those who feel their body does not match their experienced gender is only exacerbated by those who claim otherwise.
We appreciate that the Cass Review takes a clear-eyed view of the data. However, it should also be noted that the Review, not surprisingly, does not go as far as we would like, leaving the door open for continued treatment aimed at suppressing and changing secondary sex characteristics of those suffering from gender dysphoria.
