Madam, - In your report "Irish medical experts oppose operation" (The Irish Times, August 22nd) a comparison is drawn between male and female circumcision.
Removal of the male foreskin is a minor surgical procedure based on religious beliefs and is widely practised across the world. What is referred to as female circumcision is an extreme practice of genital mutilation, which is not, to my understanding, based on any world religion.
In relation to the provision in Irish hospitals of circumcision for infant boys for religious reasons, Dr Peter McKenna, a senior obstetrician at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin is quoted as saying: "I don't believe in cutting bits off baby boys or baby girls. I'm a fundamentalist in that regard."
While clearly doctors may differ in their views about the desirability of carrying out operations purely for cultural or religious reasons, to refer to deeply held beliefs of two of the major world religions in such terms does little to promote understanding between different cultures on our island or to contribute to rational debate on the issue. - Yours, etc.,
Dr PHILIP CROWLEY, Project Director, General Practice in a Multi-Cultural Society, Irish College of General Practitioners, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2.