"Alison HoltSocial affairs editor BBC Campaigner Keira Bell has told the BBC she believes the planned clinical trial of puberty blocking drugs for gender-questioning children is unethical and children "are essentially going to be harmed". The Pathways trial, run by King's College London researchers, will look at how to improve care for children under 16 at NHS gender clinics. The UK medicines' regulator has approved the study to begin in January, and the research team says it has been designed "to meet rigorous scientific"
"Ms Bell and fellow campaigner, psychotherapist James Esses, have sent lawyers' letters to Health Secretary Wes Streeting and medical research organisations arguing it should be stopped. The threatened legal action questions the safety and transparency of the clinical trial, if it is necessary, and whether it meets the expected "ethical principles". The government says the trial will provide evidence that is lacking about the risks and benefits of the drugs, and that there are multiple safeguards in place to protect young people."
The Pathways trial by King's College London will study care for children under 16 at NHS gender clinics and assess physical effects of puberty suppressing hormones. The UK medicines regulator approved the study to begin in January and the research team says it meets rigorous scientific and ethics standards. Campaigner Keira Bell said the trial is unethical and children "are essentially going to be harmed". Bell and psychotherapist James Esses have sent lawyers' letters to the Health Secretary and research organisations to stop the trial. The legal action questions safety, transparency, necessity and ethical standards. The government says the trial will provide evidence lacking about risks, benefits and safeguards. Puberty blockers were banned for gender treatment in the UK last year after a major review raised safety concerns, and that review recommended a clinical trial.
Read at www.bbc.com
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