New: In a landmark ruling, the High Court says Children under 16 who wish to undergo gender reassignment can only consent to puberty blockers if they are able to 'understand the nature of the treatment.'
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The challenge came from Keira Bell, a 23y/o woman who identified as trans as a teenager, took puberty blockers aged 16, before detransitioning. Lawyers argued children going through puberty are "not capable of properly understanding" the effects of such treatment.
Although Fenella Morris QC, representing the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, argued the use of hormone blockers is "a safe and reversible treatment with a well-established history."
Looks like children wanting to medically transition would have to go to court.
Judges' ruling: 'long-term consequences' plus the treatment being 'innovative and experimental' means "clinicians may well regard these as cases where the authorisation of the court should be sought"
More: "it is highly unlikely that a child aged 13 or under would be competent to give consent to the administration of puberty blockers.
"It is doubtful that a child aged 14 or 15 could understand and weigh the long-term risks and consequences of... puberty blockers."