UK Defies Its Own Ban to Experiment on CHILDREN With Puberty Blockers
Kings College London launches puberty blockers trial on children as young as 10 despite nationwide ban drawing fierce criticism from evangelicals and parents.
UK Launches Controversial Puberty Blockers Trial on Children as Young as 10 Despite Nationwide Ban
King's College London announced the "Pathways Trial" on November 22, 2025, a clinical study that would administer puberty blockers to approximately 226 young people over three years. Children as young as 10 are eligible for inclusion in the trial.
The announcement came despite UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting having banned puberty blockers for under 18s indefinitely in December 2024. A companion study called "Pathways Connect" aims to involve 250 additional participants examining brain health.
The trial has drawn sharp criticism from evangelical Christians, parents' advocacy groups, and LGB organisations alike. Mark Gilmore, policy adviser for the UK Evangelical Alliance, raised concerns about irreversible consequences, describing puberty blockers as having "no off ramp."
Puberty blockers have no off ramp. The consequences for these children are irreversible.
Mark Gilmore, UK Evangelical Alliance Policy Adviser
Maya Forstater's human rights charity Sex Matters characterised the trial as an "unethical medical experiment" that lacks proper informed consent mechanisms. The LGB Alliance has also voiced opposition.
Keira Bell, a detransitioner who was the lead claimant in the landmark 2020 Tavistock judicial review, has spoken against the trial. James Esses, a psychotherapist who founded Thoughtful Therapists, and the Bayswater Support Group, representing approximately 800 parents, have also raised alarms.
On February 6, 2026, a legal challenge against the trial was formally announced. A petition opposing the study has gathered more than 140,000 signatures, prompting the Parliament Petitions Committee to schedule a debate for March 9, 2026.
Sex Matters, LGB Alliance, and the Women's Rights Network have organised a lobby day at Parliament for March 10, 2026, the day after the debate. Parent advocates have raised specific concerns about fertility risks and the broader medicalisation of youth.
Evangelicals and Parents Unite Against Experimental Drug Trial Targeting British Children
Professor Emily Simonoff, the chief investigator at King's College London, is leading the controversial research. Despite widespread opposition from parents, faith groups, legal advocates, and detransitioners, the trial has proceeded with institutional backing.
The cross party and cross community alliance against this trial represents a rare moment of unity. Evangelicals, Catholic voices, LGB advocates, feminists, and parents have all found common ground in opposing what they see as dangerous experimentation on children.
The Crusader's Opinion
They banned these drugs because they were harming children. Now they want to give them to children as young as 10 in a "trial." Let us call this what it is: experimenting on kids whose brains and bodies are still developing, whose futures are being gambled by adults who should know better. The Cass Review made it clear these drugs lack evidence of benefit. Yet here we are, watching institutions push forward as though none of that matters. Thank God that evangelicals, parents, and even secular advocates are standing together on this. When protecting children unites people across every divide, you know the cause is just. These are not lab rats. These are someone's sons and daughters.
Take Action
- Sign the parliamentary petition against the Pathways Trial if you are a UK resident. Over 140,000 have already signed. Search "Pathways Trial petition" on the UK Parliament petitions site.
- Contact your Member of Parliament directly and urge them to attend the March 9, 2026 debate. Find your MP at members.parliament.uk.
- Support the work of the UK Evangelical Alliance as they advocate for the protection of children on this issue.
- Learn more about the concerns from Sex Matters and share their research with your church community.
- Donate to The Shepherd's Shield to support Christian advocacy and the defence of the vulnerable.
- Pray for the children and families affected. Raise this issue in your church prayer groups and encourage your pastor to speak on the protection of children.
