MBBS Syllabus: NMC removes word 'Unnatural' as classification for intercourse, sparks debate

Written by Barsha Misra Published On 2022-05-07T18:49:28+05:30 | Updated On 7 May 2022 6:49 PM IST

MBBS Syllabus: NMC removes word Unnatural as classification for intercourse, sparks debate

New Delhi: Taking another step towards LGBTQIA+ friendly MBBS curriculum, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently removed "unnatural" word from the classification of sexual activities like sodomy, buccal coitus, lesbianism from the subject of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology of MBBS course.

Previously there was a distinction as the medical syllabus used to label peno-vaginal sexual intercourse as natural and other sexual activities likes peno-anal intercourse (sodomy), buccal coitus, lesbianism as unnatural one. However, introducing a major change, NMC, the Apex Medical Education Regulatory Body has now decided to bid adieu to such classification in the new medical syllabus.

Such a decision was taken by NMC on the basis of the recommendations made by the Expert Panel that had been constituted on the orders of Madras High Court to address the issues about LGBTQIA+ community in the MBBS curriculum.

Constituted by the President of NMC's UG Medical Education Board, Dr. Aruna Vanikar, the expert panel consisted of following members: Dr Vijendra Kumar, Member-UGMEB; Dr Prabha Chandra, Senior Professor, Psychiatry, NIMHANS; Dr Surekha Kishore, Executive Director, AIIMS, Gorakhpur and Dr Indrajit Khandekar, Professor, Forensic Medicine, MGIMS, Sevagram.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Madras High Court last year had highlighted the need of revamping the existing medical courses' curriculum and making them up to date. The bench had observed that medical courses in India reaffirm queerphobia and discrimination against the LGBTQIA + communities.

Taking note of the report submitted by a transwoman doctor, the bench had observed that for undergraduate students studying Forensic Medicine as part of the MBBS course, the medical curriculum describes sodomy and lesbianism as sexual offences, and 'transvestism' (cross-dressing) as a 'sexual perversion'.

Upset by the report, the court had pointed out that it reflected how queerphobia was being reaffirmed as legitimate throughout the education of a doctor who might go on to become a psychiatrist or any physician who might be approached by a person from the community. The bench clarified back then that the knowledge about a patient's gender identity and sexuality may be of interest to a doctor, physician and a mental health professional if it is pertinent in cracking the course of treatment, but the course of treatment cannot be one which aims to "cure" their gender identity or sexuality itself.

At that time, the HC bench had sought a report from NMC clarifying how it would handle the issue in future by carrying out necessary changes in the MBBS curriculum. Thereafter, in a similar order, the Kerala High Court directed the NMC to review the queerphobia text in MBBS course textbooks.

Taking note of the directions issued by the High Courts, the National Medical Commission (NMC) had issued an advisory for all stakeholders, authors of medical academic textbooks and institutions.

Also Read: NMC directs major changes in Medical Education Curriculum, Textbooks to make them LGBTQIA friendly, details

NMC had noted that various textbooks of medical education mainly of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology subject and Psychiatry subject contains derogatory remarks against LGBTQIA+ Community and homosexuals, NMC had directed all the medical colleges not to teach any nomenclature in such a way that it becomes derogatory/ discriminatory/ insulting to LGBTQIA+ community.

Further, the Apex Medical Body had instructed all the authors of Medical Text Books to "Amend the information about virginity, LGBTQIA+ Community and homosexuals, etc. in their textbooks according to the available scientific literature, guidelines issued by the Government, and directions passed by the Hon'ble Courts."

Now, taking another step in the same direction of making the MBBS curriculum LGBTQIA+ friendly, the NMC has removed unnatural word from the classification of sexual activities like sodomy, buccal coitus, lesbianism from the subject of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology of MBBS course.

While commenting on the matter, Dr Indrajit Khandekar, Professor, Forensic Medicine, MGIMS who was a member of the expert panel told the media, "People have discovered almost limitless ways and means to have sex. Unfortunately, it is often said that sexual activities other than sexual intercourse are wrong and unnatural. Many people may find it strange, wrong, or even disgusting if they do not perform various sexual acts on their own. But there is no exact definition of what constitutes normal or healthy."

"However, as per medical science any sexual activity including sexual intercourse is harmful, abnormal, unhealthy only when it causes distress, physical harm to you and your partner or transgress consent and will or done with minors. Therefore, decision to remove unnatural word from the classification of all sexual acts done with consent and will was taken," he added.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues in this regard, Dr. Khandekar referred to the current MBBS text books, and questioned, "Medical textbooks on Forensic Medicine use to classify Rape as Natural Offence and Anal sex, Oral sex as Unnatural one. Any sexual activity done without consent and will is inhuman. Then how these medical textbooks referred inhuman rape as natural condition?"

Dr. Khandekar further mentioned, "In the opinions of many, Sex is done for procreation and otherwise it is unnatural. However, no medical or scientific community has ever said that sex is only for procreation. So in my opinion everything that is being done without consent or will should be termed to be 'unnatural' or inhuman."

He pointed out, "Initially medical science used to label homosexuality as unnatural and hence had covered it under disorder category. Now, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), has removed it from the disorder category. Even world Health Organization removed homosexuality from its 10th revision of International Classification of Diseases. Supreme court in Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India Ministry Of Law on 06.09.2018 has also said that the homosexuality is a completely natural condition and it is a natural variant of human sexuality. By citing US court, Supreme Court further observed that the heterosexual and homosexual behaviour are both normal aspects of human sexuality."

"Therefore, unnatural word has been removed while classifying various sexual activities from medical point of view. This change will be implemented from the academic year of 2022," he added.

Also Read: Cancel license of medical professionals for any involvement in conversion therapy of LGBTQIA members: Madras HC to NM

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Barsha Misra

Barsha completed her Master's in English from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal in 2018. Having a knack for Journalism she joined Medical Dialogues back in 2020. She mainly covers news about medico legal cases, NMC/DCI updates, medical education issues including the latest updates about medical and dental colleges in India. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.