RT Article
T1 Adolescent Medical Transition is Ethical: An Analogy with Reproductive Health
JF Kennedy Institute of Ethics journal
VO 32
IS 2
SP 127
OP 171
A1 Ashley, Florence
LA English
PB Johns Hopkins Univ. Press
YR 2022
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1826987096
AB , ABSTRACT:, In this article, I argue that adolescent medical transition is ethical by analogizing it to abortion and birth control. The interventions are similar insofar as they intervene on healthy physiological states by reason of the person's fundamental self-conception and desired life, and their effectiveness is defined by their ability to achieve patients' embodiment goals. Since the evidence of mental health benefits is comparable between adolescent medical transition, abortion, and birth control, disallowing transition-related interventions would betray an unacceptable double standard. While great enough risks can override autonomy over fundamental aspects of personal identity, I demonstrate that the available scientific evidence does not corroborate the view that adolescent medical transition is dangerous. Consequently, adolescent medical transition should be recognized as ethical and remain available.
DO 10.1353/ken.2022.0010