Trans-Identity in Minors: Basic Ethical Principles for Individual Decision-Making in Healthcare

Abstract

Trans-Identity in Minors: Basic Ethical Principles for Individual Decision-Making in Healthcare The treatment of minors with gender incongruence has been the subject of controversial discussion for some time. In 2020, the German Ethics Council adopted the ad-hoc recommendation "Trans-identity in children and adolescents: Therapeutic Controversies - Ethical Orientations" with the aim of sensitising to the relevant ethically problematic aspects and of setting out orienting guidelines for medical and psychotherapeutic support and treatment. According to the Ethics Council, every person has the constitutional right to lead a life in accordance with one's own gender identity and to be respected in this identity. Healthcare professionals must assess the consequences of treatment as well as the consequences of refraining to provide treatment. All interactions with the child must be designed in such a way that the child can participate in decision-making and is ultimately enabled to give full informed consent. Stigmatisation and discriminatory pathologisation of gender incongruence must be avoided.