A new trial is about to dive deep into the effects of puberty blockers on kids questioning their gender. Dr. Hilary Cass, the kind of doctor whose reports make headlines, says this is less about answers and more about preventing harm. Apparently, the alternative is far worse.
Dr. Cass, who penned a landmark report on gender medicine for children, is "absolutely convinced that more children will be harmed if we don't do the trial than if we do." Which, if you think about it, is a pretty stark assessment. Her concern? Without a regulated trial, young people might end up getting these drugs through "unregulated and dangerous routes." She points out that some kids as young as eleven are already on irreversible testosterone. Puberty blockers, for all their controversy, at least offer a pause button.
The Great Pause Button
This new study, cleverly named Pathways, will be run by Kings College, London (KCL). It's designed to track the physical, social, and emotional well-being of participants. We're talking bone density, brain function, and the ever-present question of fertility — because apparently, that's where we are now.
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Start Your News DetoxThe context here is a bit thorny. Dr. Cass's 2024 review found the evidence for puberty blockers was, shall we say, weak. The NHS used to prescribe them like candy for under-18s, but the government slammed the brakes in 2024, banning them for minors in gender care.
Health Secretary James Murray is on board with the trial, assuring everyone that there are "robust safeguards" for the young participants. Good to know. The trial was first announced last November, then got stuck in bureaucratic quicksand over age limits. KCL researchers have finally settled on eleven for participants assigned female at birth, and twelve for those assigned male at birth. Recruitment is slated for August, provided the lawyers don't get involved again.
Of course, not everyone's thrilled. Some campaigners argue that kids can't possibly give informed consent for something that could mess with their future fertility. The Bayswater Support Group, for example, thinks the trial is just asking for irreversible harm and won't actually answer the big questions. And because it's a hot-button issue, the Conservative party wants a vote in Parliament. Because apparently, that's where medical decisions are made now.
But Chay Brown, Healthcare Director of TransActual, actually welcomed the trial. He’s also pushing for the NHS to undo its ban and provide comprehensive care for all trans people based on informed consent. Dr. Cass, for her part, thinks science should settle this. She believes young people and their families have been let down by NHS services for far too long. A sentiment that, frankly, few would argue with.
