Open Letter to McMaster University: Withdraw the “Medically Necessary” Claim

To the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI), and the President of McMaster University,

On August 14th, McMaster University Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact (HEI) published a statement asserting that “gender-affirming” medical interventions for youth are medically necessary. This phrase carries profound clinical, ethical, and legal implications. Yet, during a recorded interview on September 8th, Dr. Gordon Guyatt—a signatory to the statement—acknowledged that he had not read the statement carefully and that he “would never use the term medically necessary.” He further conceded that he does not believe the treatments are medically necessary.

Despite this admission, the statement remains publicly available in its original form. This is unacceptable. McMaster has a duty to uphold basic standards of academic integrity and scientific accuracy. Allowing a demonstrably false and misleading claim to remain in the public domain erodes public trust and carries potential legal consequences, particularly as Egale continues to cite the “medical necessity” of these interventions in its challenge to Alberta’s Bill 26 restricting their use.

The danger of parents and the public being misinformed about the nature and risks of these interventions is even more alarming. Parents asked to sign consent forms for their children’s irreversible medical interventions are entitled to accurate information. McMaster’s statement conveys the false impression that there is scientific consensus and evidentiary certainty where none exists.

For these reasons, Genspect Canada calls on McMaster University to:

1. Formally retract the August 14th statement and remove it from all university platforms.
2. Issue a public clarification acknowledging that Dr. Guyatt did not write nor approve the phrase “medically necessary,” and that the evidence base for these interventions remains uncertain and contested.
3. Reaffirm McMaster’s commitment to evidence-based, politically neutral science.

McMaster’s global reputation was built on intellectual honesty and the birth of evidence-based medicine. Protecting that legacy now requires decisive corrective action.

Sincerely,

Mia Hughes
Director, Genspect Canada