Canadian mohel/doctor cleared of ‘sexual motive’

A Canadian review board rejected a complaint by anti-circumcision activists against a doctor who orally suctioned blood from a circumcision using a sterile pipette.

The Ontario Health Professions Appeal and Review Board said in its conclusion published Tuesday that there was no evidence supporting the complaint by anti-circumcision activists that Dr. Aaron Jesin acted out of a sexual motive in carrying out the tradition of sucking blood out of a baby’s penis wound following circumcision, the National Post reported.

The board called the complaint “a broadsided attack on the practice of circumcision.”

In haredi Orthodox communities it is common for a mohel to place his mouth directly on the wound to suction the blood from the cut, a practice that has been criticized because it can spread disease.

According to the National Post, Jesin told investigators that he is against using direct oral suction and instead uses a sterile pipette during ritual circumcisions to prevent infection.

In New York, health officials require parental consent if direct suction is performed, though the regulation has not been strictly enforced.

Editor’s note: The original version of this article insinuated Dr. Aaron Jesin performed the ritual without the use of a glass pipette. We regret the error.