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I can't get over the idea that not having a uterus and breasts will somehow deter potential abuse - as if children are never abused. I completely understand why the parents want to eliminate that possibility, but it would seem to me that the potential for abuse will never be entirely eliminated for this person or any other. None of us have complete control over our environment.
As to the people who wrote in saying "leave the family alone" (and were subsequently given editorial stars - really?), their decision to request this procedure for their child - and its consequences - did not happen in a vacuum. It should go without saying that this issue is much bigger than one family. This procedure raises huge ethical dilemmas which warrant investigation and debate. In fact, I argue that it's our moral obligation to do so. We can't all go about sticking our heads in the sand simply out of pity for the family or "respect" for their decision. Right or wrong, the procedure happened and will most likely happen again and at the very least, stringent guidelines need to be put in place.
