Technological advancements have made cosmetic procedures more accessible but have also lead many to grapple with the philosophical and ethical implications. Some religious views discourage vanity while others see cosmetic surgery as a personal choice. Women are often faced with these conversations although they are not the only demographic considering personal autonomy, social pressures and the medical profession’s role. There has been little in the way of official guidance or explicit prohibitions from major religions. But a growing chorus of theologians, philosophers and bioethicists from all backgrounds are calling for more thoughtful discourse surrounding these procedures and treatments.

A couple from Utah face parental kidnapping charges after being accused of taking a 10-year-old child to Cuba amid a complicated custody fight involving the child’s gender identity. Court document show someone from the child's family raised concerns the child had been taken to Havana for gender-affirming surgery. It’s not clear if the defendants, who include the child’s biological father, actually planned on surgery for the child. The return of children kidnapped by a parent and taken overseas often is settled through negotiations or legal petitions. In the Utah case, federal officials worked with Cuba to deport the defendants and sent a government aircraft to retrieve the child.