Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain , Ray Flynn and another reader respond to the news that the practice is classed as possible child abuse in a draft Crown Prosecution Service document I would welcome criminalising circumcision if it was performed by an unqualified person – just as would be the case if someone unqualified conducted any other surgical operation ( Circumcision classed as possible child abuse in draft CPS document, 10 January ). But leaping from that to banning the practice altogether is not justified. Given that it is a longstanding and important tradition among Jews, Muslims and various other cultures, the best way forward is to only permit circumcision if it is practised by someone specifically qualified for it and who belongs to a nationally accredited scheme. This would involve compulsory training, monitoring all cases and producing annual reports. Continue reading...