Amid mounting concerns over the sustainability and ethical implications of transgender care in the Netherlands, calls for an independent inquiry by the Dutch Health Council have intensified.

Journalist Jan Kuitenbrouwer and sociologist Peter Vasterman underscored the urgency of the situation, pointing to recent revelations by British paediatrician Hilary Cass. Cass’s extensive investigation, spanning four years, shed light on the Dutch Protocol, a cornerstone of transgender care in the Netherlands.

The protocol, which allows adolescents to block puberty and undergo hormone therapy to transition genders, has long been hailed as an international standard. However, Cass’s findings cast doubt on its scientific underpinnings, citing inadequate evidence to support its efficacy and highlighting significant health risks associated with irreversible treatments.

Of particular concern is the surge in demand for transgender care, predominantly among adolescent girls, a demographic vastly different from the patients for whom the protocol was initially devised. Cass warns against subjecting young individuals to irreversible treatments until the root causes of this surge are thoroughly understood.

The response from the Amsterdam UMC Gender Clinic, where the protocol originated, has been met with skepticism. Despite fundamental scientific criticisms, the clinic maintains its stance and downplays concerns raised by Cass’s investigation.

Critics argue that the clinic’s approach lacks scientific rigor and fails to address the evolving landscape of transgender care. The need for a holistic approach, considering not only gender dysphoria but also underlying mental health issues, is underscored as essential.

As scrutiny intensifies, calls for an independent review of clinical practices and long-term effects of transgender care gain traction. Proposals for such an audit by the Dutch National Health Council have garnered support in parliament, reflecting a growing consensus on the need for comprehensive evaluation and reform in transgender care.

As the debate unfolds, the overarching goal remains to ensure that Dutch teenagers receive quality care aligned with international standards, underscoring the imperative for evidence-based and ethical practices in transgender healthcare.