The Tasmanian Commissioner for Children has started a review into the legalities of male circumcision, and says that parents might not be entitled to cut or wound their children unless it is for a medical purpose.

Paul Mason and the Tasmanian Law reform institute are concerned that the law protecting the doctor who performs the procedure is uncertain, and so could leave them liable for perceived infringements upon the child's rights.

Circumcision rates in Australia have dropped from a high of 90% in the 1970’s to just 10% today.

For some, this legal review is yet another instance of misinformation and propaganda from the anti-circumcision lobby.

Brian Morris is a professor of physiology at the University of Sydney and strongly supports circumcision on health grounds.

He spoke with 2ser's Alex Angel.