Do No Harm Senior Fellow Chloe Cole Testifies Before Congress
In a groundbreaking hearing before the House Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Do No Harm Senior Fellow Chloe Cole delivered a powerful testimony urging policymakers to address the urgent crisis of medical gender transition without proper care and oversight.
The Perils of Unregulated Medical Transition
Cole, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in gender dysphoria, painted a sobering picture of the rampant misuse and harm caused by the current unregulated medical transition practices. She highlighted the alarming increase in gender-questioning youth seeking medical interventions, driven by social contagion and a lack of comprehensive assessments.
“We are witnessing a well-intentioned but dangerous trend where children and adolescents are being rushed into life-altering medical treatments without adequate scrutiny,” Cole stated. “The risks associated with hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and surgical interventions are often downplayed or ignored, leaving young people vulnerable to irreversible harm.”
The Need for Evidence-Based Care
Cole emphasized the importance of evidence-based care in gender dysphoria treatment. She criticized the lack of rigorous research on the long-term outcomes of medical transition, particularly in adolescents.
“We need to prioritize research that investigates the potential benefits and risks of these interventions so that we can make informed decisions,” Cole said. “Blindly following the affirming model without critical evaluation is a disservice to our youth.”
Recommendations for Reform
Cole proposed several recommendations to improve the safety and effectiveness of medical gender transition practices:
- Require comprehensive assessments: Ensure thorough psychological and medical evaluations before any medical interventions.
- Implement informed consent: Empower young people and their parents with accurate information about the risks and benefits of treatment.
- Foster a multidisciplinary approach: Involve a team of mental health professionals, medical doctors, and ethicists in decision-making.
- Establish age restrictions: Limit puberty blockers and hormone therapy to adults or those older than a certain age (e.g., 18).
- Mandate follow-up care: Ensure ongoing monitoring and support for those undergoing medical transition.
Protect the Vulnerable
Cole concluded her testimony with an urgent plea for policymakers to protect vulnerable youth from the dangers of unregulated medical transition. “We have a responsibility to ensure that young people are not subjected to irreversible medical interventions before they have had an opportunity to fully explore their gender identity and understand the potential consequences,” she said.
“By implementing these reforms, we can prevent future harm and help young people make informed decisions about their healthcare.”
Impact and Takeaways
Chloe Cole’s testimony had a profound impact on the committee members and the broader public. It sparked a national conversation about the need for evidence-based care and oversight in gender dysphoria treatment.
Cole’s recommendations have been embraced by some policymakers and healthcare professionals, leading to reforms in medical transition practices.
The fight for the safety and well-being of gender-questioning youth continues, but Cole’s unwavering advocacy has brought vital attention to this urgent issue.
