"Male circumcision does have some benefits, specifically, in the areas of infection prevention. "

See, here is where we disagree. Based on my reading, this has never been clearly demonstarted at all- and even if you could demonstrate it, its porbably completely conflated with adequate hygene- which is a different issue. IE, why snip and clip genetalia, when all you have to do is bathe regularly.

Granted, female circumcision (with the possible exception of transecting the hymen) serves no identified medical role- however, the same can be said for male circumcision.

To be completely technical, Scarrification of sorts does result from male curcumcision. Nearly all cirumcised males have abuild up of skin (called commenly 'cornification') on the glans. This is not found in uncircumcised males, and very likely impacts sexual sensation. This is not 'natural', the body is trying to regain some of the protection it used to have for those nerve endings via the foreskin.

I understand that our bias is to see male circumcision as a caring loving act, thats 'good for' the children- Probably the sudanese view Pharoaonic Circumcision (the radical procedure used on young women) the same way. I wouldn't be at all surprised if even a arge percentage of young girls victimized in this fashion express 'satisfaction' with having had it done. However, strip away all the bullshit, and you are left with the same basic act: for little or no reason of any merits, we are ritually mutillating the genetalia of children. It should stop. Its not preventative, and any positive outcome could probably be easily replicated with the application of soap and water.

Yeti