A peer-reviewed article published in the American Medical Association Journal of Ethics (AMA) believes taxpayers should be on the hook for the costs associated with giving uterus transplants to males who identify as transgender “women.”
According to the article, published in June by Dr. Timothy F. Murphy and Kelsey Mumford, trans-identified males may be expressing interest in the controversial new procedure because doctors have successfully transplanted uteruses in a handful of “cis women” patients before.
While the publication suggests that it is unlikely all people interested in uterus transplantation (UTx) have the “same standing when it comes to federal subsidies,” the article attempts to make the argument for providing financial support to members of the trans community interested in UTx.
Since “cis women” have successfully carried a baby to term after receiving a transplanted womb in the United States, the AMA argues that transgender males, as well as males who do not identify as transgender, may also want the procedure so they can gestate children of their own. In addition, Murphy and Mumford explain that getting UTx may help transwomen “consolidate their identities.”
Highlighting Swedish researchers involved in successful womb transplants that resulted in live births, the article points out that the cost of the procedure in the United States would range from $100,000 to $300,000.
“The Swedish researchers involved in the initial successful uterus transplants resulting in live births estimate the average cost per successful gestation to be €74, 564 (approx. $81,000 USD) —including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and medical care (€55 400) and paid sick leave (€19 164),” explains Murphy and Mumford.
“In the United States, the costs of UTx have been estimated to run between $100 000 and $300,000, and these 432 journalofethics.org costs are typically paid by institutions themselves or through research grants supporting clinical trials.”
The authors then state that while there is no estimates on how many transgender people or “cis men” may want UTx, they suspect that the cost would be lower than for “cis women” because the population of interested parties would be smaller.
In addition, Murphy and Mumford suggest that subsidizing trans-identified males who seek to gestate children is justified because the procedure will help curb the “psychological dissonance” trans-identified males suffer from for being biologically unable to carry children.
“Trans women lack a trait (the ability to bear children) that may cause them to experience psychological dissonance in a way that undermines their health and well-being,” explain Murphy and Mumford, adding that: “The lack of a uterus also closes off the prospect of gestating a child in a way that is available to women as a class. It follows that lack of a uterus is an obstacle to full participation in the social goods attached to women’s identity.”
The authors then list some reasons trans-identified males may want UTx while claiming the government should support research methods about potentially subsidizing the procedure for trans-identified people in an effort to be more equitable.
Disturbingly, the authors conclude the article by highlighting that other scholars have also “set out criteria for the allocation of uteruses from dead donors” and “lower priority parties who have already given birth.”
News of the AMA’s shocking suggestion sparked outrage on X (formerly Twitter) from users who labeled the research “disturbing.”
Ada Lluch, a political commentator, wrote in a post that even if a trans-identified male got a uterus transplant, the procedure would not make him any less of a man.
“Our American Medical Association wants to give taxpayer-funded uterus transplants to men who want to become women,” wrote Lluch. “The procedure will cost $100,000 to $300,000. Aside from how outrageous it would be to have taxpayers pay for this, they will still NEVER be a woman like I am. I got my uterus for free, it came with the package.”
Others, like Fox News reporter Toni Lahren, were shocked at the prospect that taxpayers may have to foot the bill for these surgeries.
“The June edition of the AMA’s Journal of Ethics centered around the “ethical analysis” of uterus transplants for bio males who want to be females,” wrote Lahren. “Oh, and, important to note this paper also floats the idea that this kind of crap should be taxpayer funded for equality and inclusion purposes.”
According to Baylor Scott & White Health, the world’s largest uterus transplant program, any woman born without a uterus or a non-functioning uterus between the ages of 20 and 40 years old who is cancer-free, a healthy weight and is a non-smoker is a potential candidate for uterus transplant.
