Doctors of BC statement on mixed martial arts

On June 6, 2013 the House of Commons passed a bill that legalizes contact sports, such as mixed martial arts.

Doctors of BC President, Dr William Cunningham, expresses the association’s position on this decision in the following statement:

“We are concerned that the legislative change makes it easier to stage events where athletes are rewarded for injuring each other to the point of incapacitation or unconsciousness. Rewarding these actions in prize fighting does not encourage fitness or good health, but rather promotes brain injury. As BC doctors, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we weren’t protecting the health of British Columbians. We support a full ban on any sport where the intent is to stop your opponent by giving them a brain injury.”