America is the only country in the world in which the medical establishment circumcises the majority of newborn boys, even though the surgery is NOT recommended by any national or international medical organization -- and some strongly oppose it. Discuss the ethical considerations of amputating a normal, healthy body part of a non-consenting minor. What steps can be taken to ensure that respect for body integrity of all children is honored in the United States?

Rules

• Essay format,* limited to a maximum of 1000 - 2000 words, no graphics or footnotes
• Entry limited to students at any academic level attending any United States college or university (student status will be confirmed before prizes are awarded)
• Essays are due midnight, PST, November, 1, 2003
• All submissions are to be made online as a text only email to: nocirc@cris.com
• The judges' decisions on winning essays and interpretations of all rules are final
• The National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Center reserves the right to publish all submissions on-line and/or in other formats, with credit given to the author
• Winners will be announced on-line at www.nocirc.org on January 15th, 2004, winners’ prize checks will be mailed to them postmarked no later than 3 business days after winners have been announced.

 

*An essay is a literary composition devoted to the presentation of the writer’s own ideas on a topic and generally addressing a particular aspect of the subject. Usually brief in scope and informal in style, the essay therefore differs from such formal expository forms as the thesis, dissertation, or treatise. Encarta Encyclopedia

First Prize: US$1200, one awarded Second Prize: US$600, one awarded Third Prize: US$300, one awarded Note: All winning essays will be published online at www.nocirc.org with academic citation

For More Information Contact:

National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers
PO Box 2512, San Anselmo, CA, Tel:1-415-488-9883, www.nocirc.org