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Attorneys for the
Rights
of the Child
2961 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94705 510-848-4437
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Medical Board of California
1425 Howe Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95825
June 12, 1999
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Re: Edgar Schoen
Dear Sir or Madam:
We are an international children’s human rights organization which is
deeply concerned by the actions of Dr. Edgar Schoen. Dr. Schoen, the former
chair of the Task Force on Circumcision of the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP), appeared on the Today show on November 9, 1998 in a nationally televised
debate with Dr. George Denniston. . As detailed in the enclosed letter of
complaint to the AAP from the National Organization to Halt the Abuse and
Routine Mutilation of Males (NOHARMM), Dr. Schoen made knowingly and repeatedly
made numerous false claims in the course of this show to attempt to convince the
television audience of the claimed advantages of infant circumcision.
Dr. Schoen has thereby willfully disseminated false information to
misrepresent the scientific data regarding the foreskin and circumcision. He has
thereby perpetuated an anachronistic medical practice and deceived the public
regarding the pertinent medical evidence.
We have been advised by NOHARMM that the AAP has taken no action to date
against Dr. Schoen. We therefore are compelled to call your attention to Dr.
Schoen’s grave ethical violations and serious misconduct and to request that
the appropriate disciplinary action be taken against Dr. Schoen.
We would request a written reply stating the actions taken in response to
this request.
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Sincerely yours,
/s/
J. Steven Svoboda
Executive Director
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