A transsexual denied breast enlargement surgery by Britain's National Health Service is suing, claiming the denial violates her human rights. The plaintiff—who has undergone hormone treatment and lived as a woman for the last decade—says the surgery is essential to her identity as a woman.
Breast augmentation surgery is only given in very exceptional cases, and the lawsuit is costing money that should be spent on healing patients, argues the health authority's chief lawyer. "Public bodies which have to make rationing decisions face enormous difficulties," he told the Daily Telegraph. "Wherever you draw the line, there will be those who are disappointed." (More transsexual stories.)