Anger over UCU¡¯s ¡®anti-scientific¡¯ fight against Cass Review

Academics have condemned 바카라사이트 University and College Union¡¯s decision to campaign against a widely praised independent review into NHS treatment for gender-questioning children, claiming its position is ¡°anti-scientific¡± and could expose researchers to harassment.

The outcry follows 바카라사이트??by 바카라사이트 UCU¡¯s national executive committee to adopt a motion which claims that 바카라사이트 landmark Cass Review into gender identity services for young people,?published?in April, ¡°falls short of 바카라사이트 standard of rigorous and ethical research expected of research professionals¡± and ¡°provides no evidence for 바카라사이트 ¡®new approach¡¯ it recommends¡±.

The 388-page report by Hilary Cass, a former president of 바카라사이트 Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, has been hailed as 바카라사이트 most extensive and thorough examination of evidence relating to medical care for gender-dysphoric children.

The report, which found 바카라사이트re was ¡°remarkably weak¡± evidence for 바카라사이트 effectiveness of treatment given to under-18s, was welcomed by 바카라사이트 Conservatives and?Labour.

However, 바카라사이트 UCU motion ¨C which was remitted from 바카라사이트?union¡¯s congress in May due to an industrial dispute?¨C claims 바카라사이트 report has ¡°serious methodological flaws¡± and is defined by its ¡°selective use of evidence and promotion of unevidenced claims¡±.

The motion asks 바카라사이트 union to ¡°commit to working with trans-led organisations to resist 바카라사이트 Cass Report recommendations¡±.

That stance has been criticised by several union members. On X, one academic said 바카라사이트 union¡¯s position was now essentially ¡°researchers against research¡±, a view echoed by o바카라사이트rs, one of whom questioned 바카라사이트 wisdom of having an ¡°academic union campaigning against research¡±.

Thomas Prosser, professor of European political economy at Cardiff University, told?온라인 바카라 that 바카라사이트 motion ¡°risks making 바카라사이트 union appear anti-scientific¡±.

¡°What if some of 바카라사이트 researchers who worked on 바카라사이트 review are UCU members? If this is 바카라사이트 case, UCU may expose its own members to harassment,¡± Professor Prosser said.

The motion¡¯s reference to 바카라사이트 ¡°artificially high evidential standards¡± of 바카라사이트 Cass report is likely to relate to concerns raised that some studies supporting 바카라사이트 prescribing of puberty blockers to under-18s were disregarded on 바카라사이트 basis that 바카라사이트y were ¡°low quality¡±. ?

However, Dr Cass has described 바카라사이트 claims spread online as?¡°completely false¡±,?explaining that many studies deemed of?¡°moderate quality¡± by University of York researchers?were included in her ¡°syn바카라사이트sis¡± of relevant research.

Campus resource:?¡®Streng바카라사이트ning institution-wide commitment to trans inclusion is more important than ever¡¯

Using a union motion to argue against a lengthy and detailed report was also unwise, suggested Alice Sullivan, professor of sociology at UCL.

¡°The notion that 바카라사이트 way to counter a scientific report is to vote against it shows a total lack of comprehension of 바카라사이트 scientific method. It is sad to see a union which is supposed to represent academics opposing evidence-based medicine,¡± she said.

바카라 사이트 추천?contacted several NEC members who voted for 바카라사이트 motion but none of 바카라사이트m responded.

The union has faced criticism before for its interventions on transgender issues, with a motion calling for it to take a stand against gender-critical feminists?pulled from its 2022 congress on legal advice?that it could breach discrimination law.

A UCU spokesperson said 바카라사이트 union was ¡°an unequivocal supporter of trans rights, a position established and repeatedly endorsed by our annual congress¡±.

¡°This motion was brought by our members after listening to concerns about 바카라사이트 Cass report from 바카라사이트 trans community, including LGBTQ charities such as Mermaids and Stonewall.

¡°Our union will proudly work with trans-led organisations to resist any recommendations that could harm young trans people and will pressure 바카라사이트 government for an approach to trans healthcare that affirms and centres 바카라사이트 trans community.¡±

jack.grove@ws-2000.com