Body modification is nothing new and people throughout history have used piercing, cutting and scarring to demonstrate identity. but as cultural practices shift over time, one person's 'normal' can become another person's 'mutilation'. Male circumcision is part of Jewish and Muslim religious practice, but has moved in and out of favour with other groups although research indicates that there are strong health reasons in favour. For women, traditional practices in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East are described by the World Health Organization as Female Genital Mutilation,(FGM) and seen as a 'violation of the rights of girls and women'. Is cosmetic surgery the new normal, or the new FGM? These very different interventions tamper with nature for different reasons. Are health issues the only real justification for cutting? What place for religion, culture and aesthetics? Speakers - Brian Morris, Germaine Greer, Meredith Jones For more videos from Ideas at the House, check out our channel: http://www.youtube.com/ideasatthehouse Susbcribe to get new videos in your feed: http://www.youtube.com/subscribe_widget?p=ideasatthehouse Get a new talk every week on our podcast: Audio - https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/sydney-opera-house-ideas-at/id640445035 Video - https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/sydney-opera-house-ideas-at/id640444896 For more from Ideas at the House, visit: Ideas Hub - http://sydneyoperahouse.com/ideas Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/IdeasAtTheHouse Twitter - https://twitter.com/ideasatthehouse