AMA says medical science behind transgender military ban is ‘deficient’

There isn’t sufficient medical science to support the Trump administration’s ban on transgender people in the military, says the American Medical Association. The ban, which is set to go into effect today, will exclude some 14,700 military personnel from serving. The Defense Department has instructed the military to add gender dysphoria to a list of conditions that would disqualify people from serving. “The AMA is troubled that the DOD characterizes the need to undergo gender transition as a ‘deficiency,’” AMA President Barbara McAneny said, adding, “The only thing deficient is any medical science behind this decision.” A group of U.S. and military surgeons general have also criticized the ban.