An American activist has launched a bid to ban the circumcision of baby boys in San Francisco.

Lloyd Schofield said that the practice was “genital mutilation”. He is hoping to gain the 7,100 signatures needed for the proposal to go on a San Francisco ballot.

The measure would make it a “misdemeanour to circumcise, excise, cut or mutilate the foreskin, testicle or penis of another person who has not attained the age of 18.”

Mr Schofield compared circumcision to tattooing a child, which he pointed out was illegal.

He said: “Circumcision is more harmful than a tattoo.”

“People can practise whatever religion they want, but your religious practice ends with someone else’s body."

Mr Schofield, a supporter of a Facebook page titled “Bring back Saving Penises”, added: “It’s a man’s body. His body doesn’t belong to his culture, his government, his religion or even his parents.

“It’s his decision.”

If he does collect enough signatures the proposal will go to a vote in November 2011.