Clinical Advisory Network on Sex and Gender
The webinar on September 16, 2025, focuses on the ethics and challenges of a clinical trial for puberty blockers in children referred to youth gender clinics. Experts will discuss ideas about alternative research methods that could better improve care for children and young people with gender related distress.
It’s good to hear that there will be a review of private prescribing of cross sex hormones for under 18s, but what is long overdue is a review of prescribing to under 18s within the NHS. It is scandalous that the current NHS policy to prescribe these has not been updated since the Cass Review finding of no good quality evidence of benefit, as well as increasing concerns about irreversible and harmful long term effects.
The Australian Doctors Federation urges health professional bodies to reconsider the “gender affirmative treatment” model for youth, citing evidence from reviews like the UK Cass Review. Concerns about puberty blockers and hormone treatments’ risks have led several countries to restrict their use. The Federation advocates for psychosocial support as the first-line intervention.
On May 1, the US Department of Health and Human Services released “Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices,” which was commissioned by a Trump administration Executive Order. This comprehensive review assesses current evidence on treating paediatric gender dysphoria, emphasizing the importance of compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to children’s and adolescents’ needs. It highlights the risks of paediatric medical transitions, questioning their benefits and critiquing the “gender-affirming” model of care used in the US. The review also discusses ethical considerations, advocating for psychotherapy as a safer alternative. It aims to inform policymakers, clinicians, and families amid growing international concern about paediatric medical transitions.
The National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) is funding the PATHWAYS trial on puberty blockers for children with gender incongruence, pending ethical approval. CAN-SG opposes the trial, citing serious ethical concerns, including unclear benefits and potential harms such as injury to fertility and cognitive development. The UK regulations mandate a trial only if its benefits outweigh its risks and emphasize the protection of vulnerable groups. CAN-SG argues that more research is needed on psychosocial interventions before considering puberty blockers, aligning with recommendations from the Cass Review. CAN-SG has written to the trialists, the oversight board and the regulators to express concerns, seeking proper ethical oversight.
This article by Dr David Bell and Dr Sinead Helyar examines concerns regarding a proposed clinical trial of puberty blockers (PBs) for children with gender dysphoria. It argues that a PB trial would pose unacceptable risks and contravene ethical standards. The authors advocate alternative avenues for research and safer treatment methods for this vulnerable group of children.
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) has suppressed evidence that contradicts its policies, influenced by activist clinicians. Unsealed documents reveal WPATH’s efforts to control Johns Hopkins University’s research findings and remove age thresholds for treatments. WPATH’s guidelines lack rigour and evidence transparency, and its influence in the World Health Organization transgender guideline development group poses reputational risk to WHO. The revelations suggest a need for health providers to disassociate from WPATH’s influence to avoid potential harm and legal issues.
The World Professional Organisation for Transgender Health (WPATH) faces allegations of research malfeasance, prompting concerns about its influence on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) transgender health guideline development group. CAN-SG wrote to WHO urging it to suspend the guideline development process, citing a serious reputational risk.
Recently released documentation of internal discussions between members of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, including authors of WPATH’s Standards of Care, reveal profound ignorance and lack of concern for the harms and lack of evidence for gender medical and surgical interventions, and a shocking disregard for medial ethics. The WPATH Files Leaked internal […]
Professor Sallie Baxendale’s article in Unherd discusses her challenges in publishing a paper on puberty blockers’ impact on cognitive function. Despite facing rejection from three journals, her paper has now been published in a well-respected peer reviewed journal, shedding light on the minimal evidence and concerns about the impact of puberty blockers. Prof Baxendale’s Unherd article sheds light on issues in the peer review process.
The review of the literature found that no well-designed studies have ever been conducted to properly assess the impact of puberty blockers on cognitive function.
Our current understanding of the importance of puberty in the development of cognitive function, animal studies and very limited data from human studies do not support the notion that puberty blockers have no impact on cognitive development or that any effects are reversible.
Indeed, the evidence to date points in the other direction.
A group of professionals in Scotland formed ScotPAG to address the impact of gender ideology in public services. They aim to understand the situation, engage with authorities, and raise awareness. Facing challenges from professional bodies and government, they plan to use FOI requests and build alliances to push for transparency and influence policy.
BREAKING Extended deadline for feedback on development of a WHO guideline on the health of trans and gender diverse people. Submissions now close 2 Feb 2024 In June 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced it was planning to develop a guideline on the health of trans and gender diverse people; a further notice on 18 December […]