A clinical trial involving puberty blockers can now begin recruiting child participants after a judge dismissed a legal challenge brought by campaigners. The legal action aimed to prevent the trial from proceeding, raising ethical objections and questioning the ability of children to provide informed consent.
The Pathways trial, initially slated to start recruiting in January 2026, was put on hold due to the lawsuit. The case was brought by groups including the Bayswater Support Group, which represents parents concerned about medical interventions for gender-questioning children, and individuals such as psychotherapist James Esses and Keira Bell, who previously detransitioned after taking puberty blockers as a teenager.
Bell expressed disappointment with the court's decision, stating, "It's a tragedy that the court has refused permission for this challenge to proceed." She added, "The medical profession and morality do not always walk hand-in-hand. If they did, this trial would be out of the question."
According to the Bayswater Group, the trial's design, size, and the perceived lack of evidence for the benefits of puberty blockers raised "fundamental questions about whether the protective framework for minors has been properly implemented."
When the trial details were first announced, no minimum age limit was specified. However, in February 2026, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) raised safety concerns, suggesting a minimum age of 14. Following discussions with researchers, the MHRA announced in June that safeguards had been enhanced, allowing girls to participate from age 11 and boys from age 12.