Law Commons^™

Too Much Religious Freedom - Infants Infected With Herpes After Jewish Mohel Applies Oral Suction To Circumcised Penises, Jamie Cole Kerlee

Journal of Law and Health

Does the Constitution absolutely protect the free exercise of oral-genital suction when it threatens the health and safety of human beings, particularly infants? And does the Constitution bar parents from having any remedy for the lifelong physical, emotional, and financial damage that may potentially result from the negligent HSV transmission through metzizah be'peh? This article focuses on the controversial issue of state interference with the Orthodox Jewish practice, a topic recently at the forefront in New York City. Until the government recognizes its duty to provide affirmative regulation of metzitzah be'peh to protect the compelling health interest of infants, thousands …