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Gender Trial Sets Age Minimum Amid Safety Concerns
19 Jun
Summary
- New trial requires participants to be at least 11 years old.
- Puberty blockers for under-18s were banned in 2024.
- Ongoing legal actions may delay participant recruitment.
The Pathways Trial, which investigates puberty-blocking drugs for gender-questioning children, has set a minimum participation age of 11. Previously paused in February 2026 due to safety concerns raised by the MHRA, the trial now includes enhanced safeguards. Recruitment is slated to begin in August 2026, with researchers from King's College London agreeing not to enroll participants before August 1 to accommodate ongoing legal actions.
Puberty blockers, also known as puberty suppressing hormones (PSH), which delay or prevent puberty, were banned for individuals under 18 in 2024. The trial's new age limits are 11 for females and 12 for males. Participants require parental consent and must demonstrate a clear understanding of the treatment's potential benefits and risks. Additionally, clearer guidance on stopping the drugs and information on fertility preservation will be provided.
The trial, approved in November 2025, aims to assess the impact of these drugs on the physical, social, and emotional well-being of children under 16 distressed about their gender. Despite some clinicians and campaigners questioning its ethics and necessity, Dr. Hilary Cass deems the trial vital to ensure appropriate treatment standards amidst concerns about unregulated drug sales.
