Sport medicine and the ethics of boxing

In the light of medical evidence of the health risks associated with boxing , a watchful agnostic position among sport physicians is no longer justifia ble. The normal activity in a boxing match places the athletes at risk of h ead injury, some of which may be difficult to detect and impossible to repa ir. This suggests that sport physicians and others expert in the prevention and diagnosis of such injuries should take a public stand against boxing, as other medical associations have. Although there is a need for continuing research into the health risks, doctors can in the interim take steps to i ncrease public awareness of these risks. Sport physicians in particular can make a strong public statement by also ending their professional involveme nt with boxing. This need not be interpreted as paternalism; doctors are qu alified neither to make laws nor to restrict private behaviour. Sport physi cians are, however, well equipped to advise those who do make laws and thos e who choose to engage in boxing. In the end, because this stance against b oxing will probably reduce the number of brain injuries in certain athletes , autonomy will be preserved, rather than restricted.