Brazil Defends Transgender Healthcare Resolution Amid Rights Concerns
Brasília, Brazil – A new resolution from the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) in Brazil is sparking debate, but authorities insist it does not represent a setback for transgender rights. CFM Resolution no. 2,427/2025 aims to prioritize patient safety and scientific rigor in medical practices, particularly concerning gender-affirming care for adolescents. The move comes as global scrutiny intensifies around the long-term effects of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormone therapy, and reflects a growing demand for evidence-based approaches to complex medical interventions.
The resolution has drawn criticism from some advocacy groups who fear it will restrict access to vital healthcare for transgender youth. However, the CFM maintains its actions are rooted in a duty to ensure the efficacy and safety of medical procedures, especially for vulnerable populations like children and adolescents. This stance is supported by recent independent systematic reviews, including the Cass Review1 and analyses by NHS England2,3, which highlight a ”very low” certainty of evidence regarding the clinical outcomes of these treatments on gender dysphoria, mental health, and psychosocial well-being.
The core justification for Resolution no. 2,427/2025 centers on the current limitations in scientific understanding surrounding puberty blockers and cross-sex hormone therapy in adolescent patients experiencing gender dysphoria. The CFM asserts that the resolution is not intended to deny care,but rather to establish a framework that demands a higher standard of evidence and careful consideration of potential risks and benefits before initiating treatments with significant biological impacts. The council emphasizes its commitment to upholding ethical medical practice and protecting the well-being of all patients.
References:
1 Federal Council of medicine, Brazil. https://go.nature.com/4peczYy (8 April 2025).
2 Cass, H. The National Archives https://go.nature.com/3HIVoxl (2024).
3 NHS England. https://go.nature.com/3SSPNq0 (12 March 2024).
