>>These are difficult problems that should be taken very serious and carefully
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>I agree. Child services should have been called in at a very early age.
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>>as this case appearantly was.
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>"Kim's parents consulted psychiatrists across Germany" This implies that they saw a lot of different ones. They managed to find ones on either side and chose to go forward. There is no mention of following up on the "observation in a closed psychiatric ward" angle so I'll assume that was not done.
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>>Your judgement ?
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>It's hysterical and tragic all at once. This is my favorite part : "The costs of the procedure are being covered by health insurance, as the condition qualifies as an illness." - emphasis mine

>There it is, being born male is an illness.

The steps you take to draw a specific conclusion does not prove you to be a great programmer. How on earth can you draw that conclusion? There are females that have transformed into males as well.

You judge by not knowing all the facts (as you admit yourself above). All I can see is that this kid did not feel like a boy and did act as a girl in about every way. There are many cases like him and many have switched from one sex to another at a later age.

Another point you miss here is that the process that has started is REVERSIBLE. It will not be until the kid is 18 before he/she will go through surgery.

Medical ethics is just about these kind of topics and I agree it is difficult, but should be discussed. Is it ethical not to help a kid having severe emotional problems because it feels to be born in the wrong body? Leaving him isolated an not understood for the rest of his life?

Up here these cases have been shown in in-depth documentaries. Have you seen any? Do you know how those people feel? If not, then I'd suggest you do a little research before you judge. I know of a case where a woman has a penis and had to present herself for military duty (as up that time it still existed here). In every other aspect she was a woman, but she officially was not. Just as being gay, it is just a little error of nature. An error that in the case above we fortunately are able to correct.

Yes, I proud that we have healthcare that takes care of these cases. Though our health care certainly has problems (there is no way denying that), at least it is available to everyone, not matter the length of you purse, beeing presented as a constitutional right, rather than a privilige.