'Sodomy, lesbianism unnatural sex offenses': New textbook for medical students
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has introduced a new textbook for undergraduate medical students that labels sodomy and lesbianism as "unnatural sex offenses." The revised curriculum also covers topics such as sexual perversions, fetishism, sadism, voyeurism, exhibitionism, transvestism, and necrophilia. However, it omits any reference to consensual sex between queer individuals. These changes were made in the forensic medicine and toxicology textbook for undergraduate students.
Controversial topics reintroduced in medical curriculum
The NMC has reintroduced these controversial topics, which were previously removed in 2022 following a Madras High Court directive. The updated curriculum also includes discussions on the hymen and its types, its medico-legal importance, and definitions of virginity and defloration. However, it eliminates the distinction between consensual sex among queer individuals, adultery, and criminal acts like incest and bestiality.
NMC defends curriculum changes amid criticism
The NMC has defended these changes, stating they are part of an outcome-driven curriculum aligned with global trends. The aim is to create an "Indian medical graduate" with requisite knowledge, skills, and values. The commission said in its Competency-Based Medical Education Curriculum (CBME) Guidelines, 2024: "It was time to have a relook at all aspects of the various components in the existing regulations and guidelines."
Revised curriculum's focus and criticism
The revised curriculum also emphasizes medico-legal frameworks, codes of conduct, and medical ethics. The NMC aims to produce a primary care physician with skills in promotive, preventative, rehabilitative, palliative care and referral services. However, critics argue that reintroducing these topics may perpetuate harmful attitudes toward marginalized communities. Medical professionals and LGBTQ+ advocates have expressed concerns that these changes could undermine progress made in promoting inclusivity and understanding in medical education.
Further changes and concerns in medical curriculum
Further changes in the revised curriculum include eliminating the distinction between "gender identity" and "sexual orientation" in the psychiatry module. The psychiatry module does not include any requirement for teaching students about "gender identity disorders." In 2022, NMC modified their syllabus to make the curriculum more LGBTQ+ friendly by removing sodomy and "lesbianism" from unnatural sexual offenses, among other changes. The recent reversal of these modifications has raised concerns among advocates for inclusivity in medical education.
