Leslie Dreyfous

		Associated Press

		Fax: 212/621-7520





		IMMEDIATE RELEASE

		December 22, 1992





		       NURSES REFUSE TO ASSIST WITH CIRCUMCISION



		     SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO -- At St. Vincent Hospital in

		Santa Fe, more than 20 maternal-child nurses have

		informed physicians and other nurses in writing that

 		they will no longer assist with routine circumcision of 

		newborn male infants.  They have the support of their 

		head nurse and some physicians in their refusal to

		participate in these procedures.  Many of the

 		pediatricians themselves, in fact do not perform 

		circumcision.  				



		     The position of these nurses is that:	



		     Neonatal circumcision is a violation of a

 		     newborn male's right to a whole (intact) 

		     body.





		     There are no compelling medical reasons for 

		     amputation of the penile foreskin.  Indeed,

		     amputating the foreskin deprives the infant

		     of a protective and sexually functional part 

		     of his body.



		     Circumcision is a surgical procedure with

 		     risks of complications, including bleeding,

 		     infection and mutilation.



		     Neonatal circumcision is painful. Often,

		     inadequate or no anesthesia is used.  Post-

		     operative pain management is rare.



		     Parental information on this subject is all

 		     too often incomplete or based on myths.



		     The infant is unable at this vulnerable age

 		     to state his own wishes or protect himself.



		     Circumcision is now recognized as a human rights

		issue and those courageous nurses are the first health

		care professionals in the United States to stand up as

		a group in defense of babies' rights.