Puberty blockers trial can start recruiting children after judge rejects legal challenge<br>Skip to content
Home<br>News<br>US & Canada<br>UK<br>UK Politics<br>England<br>N. Ireland<br>N. Ireland Politics<br>Scotland<br>Scotland Politics<br>Wales<br>Wales Politics<br>Africa<br>Asia<br>China<br>India<br>Australia<br>Europe<br>Latin America<br>Middle East<br>In Pictures<br>BBC InDepth<br>BBC Verify<br>Sport<br>Business<br>World of Business<br>Technology of Business<br>NYSE Opening Bell<br>Technology<br>Artificial Intelligence<br>Intelligence Revolution<br>AI v the Mind<br>Tech Now<br>Health<br>Culture<br>Film & TV<br>Music<br>Art & Design<br>Style<br>Books<br>Entertainment News<br>Arts<br>Arts in Motion<br>Travel<br>Destinations<br>Africa<br>Antarctica<br>Asia<br>Australia and Pacific<br>Caribbean & Bermuda<br>Central America<br>Europe<br>Middle East<br>North America<br>South America<br>World’s Table<br>Culture & Experiences<br>Adventures<br>The SpeciaList<br>Earth<br>Science<br>Natural Wonders<br>Climate Solutions<br>Sustainable Business<br>Green Living<br>Audio<br>Podcast Categories<br>Radio<br>Audio FAQs<br>Video<br>BBC Maestro<br>Discover the World<br>Live<br>Live News<br>Live Sport
Site search
Home
News
Sport
Business
Technology
Health
Culture
Arts
Travel
Earth
Audio
Video
Live
Weather<br>Newsletters<br>Watch Live
Puberty blockers trial can start recruiting children after judge rejects legal challenge
Just nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on Google
Alison Holt,Social affairs editor, Royal Courts of Justice,<br>Jim Reed,Health reporter, Royal Courts of Justiceand<br>James Melley,Social affairs producer
Getty Images
A high-profile clinical trial of drugs that can delay puberty in children questioning their gender can go ahead after the High Court rejected a legal challenge by campaigners.
The Pathways trial, run by researchers at King's College London (KCL), will start recruiting more than 220 children aged between 11 and 16 years old from 1 August.
The study was commissioned to assess the benefits or risks of puberty blockers, after a landmark review into gender services found the evidence for treating young people with the drugs was "remarkably weak".
Campaigners who brought the legal action had argued the safeguards in place were inadequate and raised concerns about the long-term physical and psychological effects on young people.
The judge, Mr Justice Chamberlain, refused the application for a judicial review saying that none of the claims made by the campaigners had a realistic chance of success.
He said that each patient involved in the trial will have been assessed over "many months" by specialist doctors who will have "formed the opinion that a child has a reasonable prospect of receiving a clinical benefit from the treatment".
A spokeswoman for KCL welcomed the court's decision, saying the "safety and welfare of young people will remain our highest priority in carrying out this research".
Campaigners, including parents of gender-questioning children, said they were disappointed by the decision saying the "world is watching" a case which has "global implications and high stakes".
Getty Images
Demonstrators march through central London in a protest against a ban on puberty blockers in London in April 2024
Puberty blocking ban
A landmark review into young people's gender care, written by Baroness Hilary Cass, was published in 2024.
The government then banned the use of puberty blocking drugs in children's gender care across the UK. The drugs can pause the physical changes of puberty such as breast development and voice deepening.
Children already on the medication were allowed to continue but new prescriptions could only be offered as part of a controlled clinical trial.
NHS England commissioned the Pathways study to try to establish scientific evidence about the possible health risks and benefits.
Speaking to the BBC in June, Cass said that the trial was "essential" to answer the question about "whether these drugs are helpful or not".
KCL researchers have said they hope to recruit 226 children under the age of 16 who are already accessing specialist gender services in England and have a diagnosis of "gender incongruence", where a person's sense of their gender does not match the sex they were recorded as at birth.
The team has said any young person participating in the "carefully designed study" will undergo detailed medical and psychological assessments. They and their family will also have to demonstrate they understand the potential impact of taking part.
The trial will also look at the effect of the drugs on bone density, brain development, fertility and mental wellbeing.
Getty Images
Another protest outside the Department of Health in London to protest against the puberty blockers trial in December 2025
In late 2025, campaigners brought legal action against the government and health bodies claiming the trial was unethical and that children could not give properly informed consent.
One of those taking legal action was Bayswater Support Group, which works with 800 parents who are wary of medical solutions for their gender-questioning children.
Others include the psychotherapist James...