UK: Puberty Blocker Trial to Begin

King's College London trial to involve 226 children. Essential research, or unethical coercion?

Published 1 day ago

story

Above: Sign for the NHS National Health Service outside a pharmacy on Aug. 4, 2025, in London. Image credit: Mike Kemp/In Pictures/Getty Images

The Spin

Left narrative

The puberty blocker ban is discriminatory and medically unsound, targeting transgender youth while allowing the same medication for intersex patients. Clinical experts who have actually worked in NHS gender services know these treatments help carefully selected patients, and the ban will only harm distressed young people.

Guardian

Right narrative

This coercive trial violates medical ethics by selling desperate young people flawed research as their only path to treatment. Vulnerable children suffering gender dysphoria need mental health intervention and support, not extreme hormonal intervention.

Spectator (UK)