Summary
- FDA under scrutiny for supporting puberty blockers for transgender children despite known health risks
- Internal FDA emails reveal officials were aware of risks like seizures, depression, and suicide
- FDA team leader Shannon Sullivan advocated for approval of drugs despite risks in January 2022 email
- Republicans, including Senator Ted Cruz, criticized FDA’s support for gender transition care
- Countries like Norway, Finland, and the UK have restricted or stopped trans interventions on children, with calls for similar action in the US.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is facing criticism for supporting the use of puberty blockers for transgender children, despite knowing the potentially life-threatening health risks involved. Internal FDA emails obtained through a lawsuit revealed how officials were aware that these drugs could lead to seizures, depression, and an increased risk of suicide among users. FDA team chief Shannon Sullivan reportedly stated in an email that there is a need for these drugs to be approved for gender transition, sparking outrage among Republican lawmakers, including Senator Ted Cruz.
Critics warn of the dangers of using puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries on children, arguing that counseling would be more effective in helping them make life-altering decisions. The FDA emails, obtained by a conservative group, showed discussions about the safety of puberty blockers, which are increasingly prescribed to trans youth. While some argue that such treatments are necessary and life-saving for a vulnerable group, others point to the risks and challenges faced by those who regret undergoing the transition. Republican lawmakers have taken steps to ban certain types of trans care for minors in several states, while European countries like the UK have restricted or ceased such interventions entirely.
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Public Health & Prevention, Pediatrics, Psychiatry & Mental Health